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Galapagos Island Cruises: See the Wildlife

In order to prepare yourself for the breathtaking sights during Galapagos Island Cruises, here is a little preview of some of the rare ecological life zones you might experience there. From coasts to mountains to oceans, the Galapagos Islands have it all. For sandy beaches, craggy shorelines, mangroves and salt-tolerant vegetation, travel to Galapagos Islands' coastal and lowlands. Seabirds, lions, crabs and iguanas abound in these dry climates. The Galapagos Islands have an arid zone as well, characterized by hardy, deciduous plant life. Cacti, land iguanas, and tortoises call the arid zone home, as do Darwin's famous finches. About 650 to 2,000 feet up, you'll find the scalesia zone, so called for the scalesia stands of trees that dwell in this region. Here you'll find increased precipitation, as la garua mists the slopes of the higher mountains, and a more fertile landscape. In fact much of the scalesia zone is dedicated to grazing and agriculture. In addition to one-of-a-kind animal life, much of the flora in the Galapagos is also unique to this region.

Take Galapagos land tours or Galapagos island cruises to explore the vast and painstakingly preserved wildlife, dwelling here just as Darwin saw them 150 years ago. The variation among the species is as dazzling as ever. This tour preview is designed to help you plan your Galapagos Islands tour, acquainting you with the species of the region, because we believe its good to “know before you go.”

As we begin our tour preview, it is important to remind you even before you actually travel to the Galapagos Islands that is essential to stick to the trails when touring. The rare and exotic creatures of the Galapagos Islands already suffer unnecessary stress from inconsiderate tourists. This tour preview is designed to enlighten you to the variety of species and sights of the Galapagos Islands, and to inspire your respect for their privacy. Rest assured there is still plenty to see from the multiple trails on all Galapagos Island cruises.
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Galapagos Island Reptiles Here in the Galapagos Islands, experience the novelty of exotic creepy crawlies that make the cockroach look positively common. Lava lizards, nocturnal geckos, and Galapagos snakes all slither through this terrain.
Galapagos Tortoise You'll also see the famous Giant Tortoise, the Galapagos, from which this island archipelago gets its name. A tourist favorite, people travel from all over to witness these creatures, known for their link to Darwin's discoveries. What tipped Darwin off to the species' unique qualities was the tortoises' variety of shell. Originally fourteen different subspecies of the tortoise existed, all with different shells. Today all but three are extinct, with a fourth species possessing only one living tortoise, so called Lonesome George. The tortoise has few animal enemies, so humans are almost entirely responsible for the extinction of the species. Luckily, efforts are underway to revive this demolished Galapagos population. Learn all about current restoration efforts, and pay a visit to Lonesome George, at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island.
Pacific Green Sea Turtle If you travel to the Galapagos Islands in November through January, you might get a glimpse of the Pacific green sea turtle, which resides here during part of its life cycle. During these months, mating sea turtles can be seen in the water near shore. December and June though, the turtles spend laying eggs on the beaches, at which point the baby tortoises are left to hatch and fend for themselves. The few young that reach the water may swim thousands of miles away, but these faithful creatures always return to the birth nest on the island beach where they hatched.
Iguanas Three different types of iguana populate the Galapagos Islands, most notably the marine iguana, the only sea bound lizard in the world. Marina iguanas have a leisurely existence and can generally be found heaped on top of each other, lounging on the islands' rocky shores. Periodically they wander into the water to dine on an ocean delicacy: seaweed. Enjoy the novelty of these scaly black creatures, but if you see a red one, watch out; it's in mating mode!

Kind of like the country mouse and the city mouse, the marine iguana's cousin, the land iguana makes its home on dry land. Species include the Galapagos land iguana and the Santa Fe land Iguana. Land iguanas outsize marine iguanas and are colored in shades of yellow. Both species share an appetite for the prickly-pear cactus, but the land iguanas live more inland than their shore-loving cousins.

While reptiles are plentiful and captivating in the Galapagos, no Galapagos Island tour preview would be complete without a panoramic glimpse at the spectacular mammals of the region.
Seals and Seal Lions The first mammals you'll notice on your tour of the Galapagos Islands are definitely the seals and sea lions. The Galapagos sea lion is a subspecies of the California sea lion. Unlike traditional seals however, the Galapagos sea lion is set apart by its external ears and use of front flippers for swimming. Some of the most populous residents of the Galapagos, with over 50,000 residing in the islands, the Galapagos sea lion have many chances to mingle. Still, don't get too close to these lovable animals. The dominant bulls are known to chase. Snorkelers beware!

For a more petite spectacle, enjoy another rare Galapagos Island sight: the dainty Galapagos fur seal. But you might have to wait until dark; this little seal prefers nighttime activity. Perhaps that's because hunters coveted its lush, shiny coat during the 1800s. Once bordering on extinction, the fur seal is back in full force, so book a Galapagos Islands tour today to see this creature is action!
Whales and Dolphins Whales and dolphins are another wonder sure to wow you during Galapagos Island cruises. Species of whales include the humpback, minke, sperm, pilot, and killer whales. Dolphins include the bottlenose dolphin and the occasional spinner dolphin. This water bound mammals make perfect playmates, known for surfing and diving in front of the bows of boats.
Fish Hundreds of species of fish await your arrival in the Galapagos. Find willing travel guides in the puffers, angelfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish and triggerfish that abound in these waters.
Sharks A highlight of any Galapagos Island cruise or tour involves viewing the fascinating hammerhead shark. While snorkeling, don't be surprised if its unmistakable shape becomes clear in the water just below. Other common swimmers are the indigenous Galapagos shark and the white-tipped reef shark. The sight of such creatures is startling to tourists, but don't worry; they won't harm you. Like good travelers, they too, come in peace.
Rays Rays are another exciting Galapagos Island sight, delightful for their airy magnitude and elegant movements. Plus, there's just no other animal like them. Swimming among these voluminous creatures is an unforgettable Galapagos travel experience. One species, the spotted eagle ray, can reach over six feet in length. Monster manta rays, who make their home farther from shore, can be seen hurtling themselves above the ocean spray, crashing down, then disappearing beneath the surf. It may look like a water show straight out of Sea World, but the truth is these elegant creatures actually have a pest problem: their contortions are a way of trying to get parasites off their backsides!

Another species is the stingray, and as you can tell from its name, this is one ray you don't want to tangle with. Found in shallow, sandy coves, the ray is beautiful to view, but stepping on one will add a serious sting to your Galapagos Island travel experience. If your guide points out an area where stingrays abound, tread elsewhere.
Crabs No Galapagos Islands sightseeing tour is complete without a snapshot of the vividly colored Sally Lightfoot crab. This multicolored creature looks paint-splashed with its red legs and pinchers, yellow top, and baby blue belly. Making its home in the monochrome black rocks of the region, the Sally Lightfoot is a sight to behold. Even crazier than its colors is the crab's captivating courtship dance. Ghost crabs too are another highlight of Galapagos Island cruises and tours, appearing and then vanishing into the holes they make all over the island.
Tide pools Witness some of the earth's littlest ecosystems, as tourists delight in the tiny worlds magnified in the island's tide pools. Colorful sea creatures shuffle in these aquatic microcosms, bustling with barnacles, sea urchins, snails, and sea stars, all utterly dependent on the ocean's shifting tides.
Flights of Fancy With more birds than an Alfred Hitchcock movie, the Galapagos Islands are a sure bet for bird-lovers. Throughout your Galapagos Islands cruise or tour, you will no doubt witness dozens of bird species. Some of the best Galapagos travel highlights would include the brown pelican. These popular creatures can be found nesting in the bows of yachts. Just don't get in a staring contest with one of them. The brown pelican is famous for its powers of sustained sight.

Another must-see Galapagos Islands bird is the fluorescent pink greater flamingo, resident of the islands' salty lagoons. Check out its fellow electric-colored friends, the great blue heron, the lava heron and the yellow-crowned night heron. Indeed the Galapagos Island provides a great tour for birdwatchers, also home to plovers, owls, pigeons, flycatchers, mockingbirds, warblers, tanagers and more.
Finches The most famous finch-better known as Darwin's Finch- native to the islands is the Galapagos Finch. Many Galapagos cruises and tours has been inspired solely from the hopes of witnessing one of these scientifically significant birds. While they are not particularly colorful or interesting, their role in evolutionary theory makes them endlessly fascinating to nature-lovers and biology buffs. Come witness Darwin's finches in their natural habitat, where they remain just as they were during the famous naturalist's travels. But the Galapagos finch isn't the only species that resides in the islands. In fact there are thirteen native species, including four species of ground finch, two species of cacti finch, three tree-finch species, and the woodpecker, vegetarian, mangrove, and warbler finches. Scientists believe every one of these variations derived from a single dominant species. Book a Galapagos travel tour to decide for yourself.
Galapagos Hawk The only predatory bird of the region, this lone raptor can be seen flying over several of the Galapagos Islands. Breeding for this species may include one female with multiple males, each of who assist in raising the babies. The Galapagos islands hawk population was significantly endangered, but is on the upward ascent.
Boobies It is worth traveling to the Galapagos Islands just to see these birds with the funny name do their equally comical courtship dance. You'll have no trouble spotting the infamous birds during your Galapagos travel: their large colonies live in nests all along the hiking trails.

The Galapagos Islands are home to three types of boobies: the blue-footed, the red-footed, and the masked booby. The most prevalent sight in the Galapagos is the blue-footed booby. With blue webbed feet, face, and beak, these crazy birds are a Kodak moment waiting to happen, especially during their flamboyant courtship rituals, which cameras do nothing to deter.

The less prevalent red-footed booby makes its home on only a few remote islands, so is not as common a sight on a Galapagos Island tour, despite existing in larger numbers than its blue-footed brethren.

The masked booby doesn't boast a colorful exterior, but what it lacks in brightness, it makes up for in style and size. The largest of the three species, the masked booby is named for its black, featherless face, which stands in contrast against the downy white feathers that cover its body. Black tips on the wings and tails finish off this booby's bandit look.

Despite their amusing array of outrageous embellishments, the boobies' bodies are strictly sculpted for swift air travel. Their compact frames allow them to streak through the ocean waters and catch unsuspecting fish. Each type of booby has evolved to designate a different part of the water as its feeding ground. Besides being a must-see sight on a Galapagos Island tour, these strange boobies also play a starring role in Darwin's theory of evolution.
Waved Albatross The sight of a giant waved albatross is a comical treat for any tourist traveling to the Galapagos Islands. With its obscene bulk and awkward waddle, tourists will wonder how it can possibly manage its spectacular cliff dives. Without fail however, the large bird shuffle to the edge of the cliff and plunge in, returning from its plummet moments later, utterly unfazed by its fall from the earth. In fact, the waved albatross is the last living seabird, spending years of its life at sea. This humungous bird is the largest of all the Galapagos's feathery friends. If you think its cliff diving habits are fascinating, check out the albatross's courtship display. But if you want to see the albatross in action, book your Galapagos tour after Jan through April, or the birds will already be out to sea. Española Island is the only permanent waved-albatross-nesting locale on the planet.
Frigate Birds and other Feathery Creatures Frigate birds are the scavengers of the Galapagos Islands, existing in two species, the greater frigate and the magnificent frigate. These triangular saucers look like something out of a prehistoric age, zipping through the air with seemingly no effort and expert navigation. During land courtship, the males balloon out the skin on their necks to a mottled bright red. While fascinating to tourists, the Frigate Birds are far from favored among its fellow Galapagos Island creatures, especially the seabirds. The crafty frigates are known for pillaging fish from the sea birds, partly because the frigate bird is incapable of fishing underwater.
Penguins Penguins are a funny paradox in themselves, being birds that can't fly but know how to swim. This paradox is heightened by the flightless Galapagos penguins, which swim smooth as fish in the water but are gawky and uptight on land. Watch for their sleek black and white bodies shooting through the water near you. No tour of the Galapagos Islands would be complete without glimpsing the Galapagos penguins, the most northern penguin species in the world.

We hope you've enjoyed this panoramic preview of the flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands! Book one of our Galapagos Island cruises today to experience first hand the awe-inspiring creatures of this archipelago!