The Galapagos Islands are one of the most biodiverse and unique ecosystems on Earth, home to countless species that exist nowhere else. Situated nearly 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, these volcanic islands have become a natural laboratory of evolution, famously studied by Charles Darwin in the 1830s. Today, the Galapagos continue to inspire scientists, conservationists, and travelers alike.
What makes the wildlife here so extraordinary is its fearless nature—many animals have no natural predators and therefore show little to no fear of humans. This allows for close encounters with creatures like the Galapagos tortoise, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and playful sea lions. Whether on land or underwater, observing these animals in their natural habitat is an experience like no other.
In this guide, we introduce you to the most iconic animals of the Galapagos—species that define the islands and have shaped their global reputation as a must-visit wildlife destination.
♦ Endemic, both a predator and a scavenger
They feed on basically anything: Young iguanas, birds, lizards, rats, locusts.
It nests on all islands besides Genovesa, San Cristobal and Floreana.
♦ Endemic
Feeds on flying insects and larvae.
Found on all islands, besides Genovesa.
14 different species of them. All found on different islands.
The finches here were the starting point for Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Mostly because of their distinctly formed beaks and their eating habits, he concluded that they evolved from a single species into more than a dozen, adapting to the surroundings of their specific islands.
♦ 4 species. All endemic
Named after and living on their distinctive islands: Floreana, Española, San Cristobal.
Only the so-called Galapagos Mockingbird and its subspecies are found on several islands.
The largest heron in the islands.
Like many of the animals in the Galapagos Islands they feed on small fish, crabs, lizards, or young iguanas.
Best viewed at beaches and lagoons of all bigger islands.
Probably the most recent natural arrival in the Galapagos.
This egret was only observed in 1964.
Feeds on locusts and grasshoppers.
Mostly seen in agricultural areas of the 4 inhabited islands.
♦ Endemic
Feeds on small fish and crabs.
Seen on all islands.
♦ Endemic and one of the smallest penguins in the world
There are only about 2000 individuals left, mostly found on Fernandina Island and the west and north of Isabela Island.
Due to heavy El Niño events, the population was drastically reduced in the past.
♦ Endemic, the largest bird in the islands with a wingspan of up to 2.35 m
That also makes him one of the largest in the world.
It is only found on Española Island and just a few pairs on Isla La Plata, off the coast of Ecuador’s mainland.
Also, they can only be seen during the breeding season which depends on the nutrient-rich water currents beginning March/April and leaving the island around December.
♦ An endemic subspecies only found here
One of the most iconic animals in Galapagos!
They breed on the islands south of the equator.
Other boobies are the Nazca booby, the brown booby and the red-footed booby.
♦ Endemic, a great diver
Its status is vulnerable, and it can only be found on Fernandina and a few parts of Isabela Island.
♦ Endemic. There are currently 11 giant tortoise species living on the islands.
One of the top 5 emblematic animals in the Gapapagos Islands.
3 are already extinct. Tortoises are land-based animals, while turtles spend at least parts of their life in the water. Most travellers will only see the tortoises on Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and the species around Alcedo volcano in their natural habitat, while others can be seen in one of the breeding centres.
Easiest to be distinguished from the shape of their plates, around 20,000 individuals roam the islands. The most iconic animal of the Galapagos is known for its long lifetime, up to and maybe more than 150 years.
♦ Maybe an endemic subspecies
The only turtle that breeds on the islands.
The female comes ashore on sandy beaches at night and buries the eggs.
The young also usually emerge at night to make it to the safe ocean to avoid predators.
♦ Endemic. 7 subspecies.
The marine iguanas are the only known sea-going lizards in the world.
One of the most emblematic of the animals in the Galapagos Islands.
It feeds on algae, even in the cold waters of the Humboldt current and since it’s ectothermic, then heats up on rocks in the sun.
During strong El Niño events with less food, the population declines significantly.
♦ Endemic, up to 1m in length and 13 kilos heavy
They feed mostly on Opuntia cactus and are best observed on Santa Cruz, South Plaza and Seymour.
♦ Endemic
Only described in 2009, pink iguanas are the rarest endemic species living around Wolf volcano on Isabela Island.
With only 100 individuals, there is little information about these animals so far.
But, pretty sure, more to come!
7 species of lava lizards live in the Galapagos.
They can be seen on most islands in the lowlands, except Genovesa.
♦ Endemic, tiny and nocturnal
They are often found in houses on the walls during the night.
But don’t be alarmed, they are harmless and watch over your sleep.
♦ An endemic, slender constrictor snake
Up to 85cm long and only found on Española Island.
♦ Endemic and up to 60cm long
Only found on Baltra, Rabida, Santa Cruz and Santiago Islands.
♦ Endemic and the largest animal found on the islands
These sea lions can weigh up to 250 kg.
Found at the coast all around Galapagos.
♦ Endemic
Found on rocky coasts in Seymour, Genovesa and Santiago Islands.
There are many different types of whales that roam the waters around the Galapagos from time to time.
Baleen whales like the Humpback, Minke or Blue whale, or toothed whales like the sperm whale or the orca.
Different species of dolphins are seen occasionally as well.
♦ Endemic
Besides several rodents, the Galapagos bat is an endemic species living here.
Best to be observed right in the settlements of Puerto Ayora and Baquerizo Moreno.
With up to 14 meters the worlds biggest shark!
Not much is known about this peaceful giant, but our friends from Galapagos Shark Diving are trying to change that.
They usually migrate between Costa Rica’s Cocos Island and the Galapagos Islands of Darwin and Wolf.
Up to 2.5 meters.
Widespread across the islands.
An unmistakable shark, with the eyes on the sides of a flattened head.
Usually seen around Wolf and Darwin.
Feeds on fish and squid.
Huge, up to 7 meters, black above, white below.
Feeds on plankton and crustaceans.
Makes spectacular aerial leaps, and is by itself just SPECTACULAR!
Black with white spots on top, large, up to 2.5m.
All around the islands, usually in schools.
Thick, up to 2m, in color olive-brown to grey.
Usually found on sandy bottoms throughout the islands.
Molluscs and crustaceans are his favorites when it comes to food.
Small, 25 centimeters long, lives in burrows in sand, stretching out to feed on passing plankton.
Usually lives in colonies that look like a meadow in the southern and central islands.
A long (1.7m) and angry looking one.
Hides in holes and crevices, waiting for octopus, crustaceans and fish.
Unmistakable, 3m long and pretty round.
Usually seen around western islands, but comes to more shallow waters to get cleaned by smaller fish.
A real bucket list fish!
30cm tall, with a horse-like head, and definitely cute.
Holds on coral, rocks and seaweeds with its tail.
Comes in many colors and it’s everywhere to find in the waters.
♦ Endemic
Small, up to 2.5cm, mostly viewed in arid zones on main islands after rain.
♦ Endemic
Like many other animals in the Galapagos islands found everywhere and at all altitudes.
Well, a moth.
Around 9 cm tall.
Seen only on Santa Cruz Island.
There’s 24 species of ants that are present in the Galapagos and virtually no scientific work has been done on endemic and local species.
Largest fly in the islands.
Well, it’s a fly.
You will feel it before you hear it.
The only bee found in the Galapagos.
Widespread in the southern islands.
♦ Endemic
And a ladybug without any spots.
♦ Endemic
Large, up to 5 cm.
8 species. All are winged, although only 2 can fly.
Seen on most islands.
♦ Endemic
A web-building spider.
Usually waits for victims in the middle.
Found in arid areas of all islands.
And no, don’t worry, it is not venomous.
♦ Endemic up to 30cm long
Found in arid areas.
It preys on other invertebrates and even small birds.
It’s the favourite food of the Galapagos hawk.
The biggest of at least 8 species of Centipedes found here.
♦ Endemic
A dark brown to black crab.
Widely seen on rocks in the intertidal zone.