9 Unique Animals You’ll Only Find in the Galapagos Islands

920 kilometers west of Ecuador are the Galapagos Islands. These isolated landmasses are home to some of the strangest creatures in the world.

Since they only exist on the islands, they’re very rare.

Travelers come from all over the world to witness the Galapagos inhabitants. Besides being in awe from the animals, the landscape of the islands is spectacular. It’s a one-of-a-kind destination.

Curious about the residents of the Galapagos Islands? Keep reading to learn about nine of the most unique animals found in this part of the world.

1. Pink Iguanas

The Galapagos Islands have 13 volcanoes situated across the various land masses. Wolf Volcano has the tallest peak, and it’s home to the pink iguanas.

With rose-colored scales, the pink iguana is a critically endangered species. They can grow up to two meters long and many have black spots among the pink scales.

They were only discovered to be a unique species in 2009. Before then, scientists thought they were simply land iguanas with pigmentation issues. Now that they occupy their own species name, more research on the pink iguana can happen.

2. Giant Tortoises

The Galapagos Islands fascinated Charles Darwin. He noticed that tortoises from different islands had their own unique characteristics. This lent itself to his Theory of Evolution.

The giant tortoises of the Galapagos can live for up to 150 years. They’ve come back from a near extinction and are now a commonly seen animal on the islands.

Giant tortoises can survive months without food, water, or shelter. They’re also able to float which makes it easier to travel around the islands.

3. Marine Iguanas

These strange-looking creatures enjoy sunbathing on the coastal rocks or lava stones. They like to huddle in a group and have a variety of colors.

The marine iguana is often compared to Godzilla. They have the special ability to live both on land and in the sea. Scientists claim they can dive 30 feet down into the ocean, holding their breath for minutes at a time.

If you get to visit the Galapagos Islands, pay attention to the sounds marine iguanas make. To expel the salt from their nasal cavities, they often sneeze and hiss aggressively.

4. Blue-footed Boobies

There are three different species of boobies on the Galapagos Islands. The blue-footed boobies are a crowd favorite.

Their bodies are often different shades of white, beige, and brown. But their feet are a bright sky blue. During the annual mating season, they stomp their blue feet around in a dance to attract mates.

Blue-footed boobies live in colonies, often nesting and feeding together. When it’s time to catch dinner, they take fantastic dives off the rocks into the sea. As they emerge, their fellow pals cheer and greet them.

5. Frigatebirds

These gorgeous birds soar through the skies above the Galapagos Islands. Floating on the air currents, frigatebirds steal fish from the surface of the water.

They’re also known to intimidate other birds into throwing up their food so they can eat it.

With red bodies and black wings, frigatebirds are quite the sight. When mating season comes around, the males inflate their lungs with air. This pushes their red front pouches out which is a big hit with the females.

6. Waved Albatross

You can only find this unique animal on the Española island of the Galapagos. Critically endangered, the waved albatross is of particular interest to scientists.

With huge wings and a narrow body, albatross use “dynamic soaring“. This allows them to fly for miles without getting tired. They can also launch off any surface, including cliff heights.

The waved albatross is a very romantic animal; they mate for life. To find their mate, they flirt with each other by mimicking each other’s nods and movements. 

7. Lava Gulls

This next animal is one of the rarest birds in the world. There are only 500 lava gulls left in existence, and they’re found on the Galapagos Islands.

Lava gulls have dark grey feathers with a subtle white outline. This allows them to blend in with the lava stones and cliffs. They can reach 20 inches in length.

These birds prefer to stick to their chosen territories. They’re solitary nesters and are mostly found on Geneva Island, Isabela Island, and Santa Cruz.

8. Sally Lightfoot Crabs

The next unique Galapagos animals are hard to catch. They’re the most agile and quick creatures on the shore. Sally Lightfoot crabs and their bright red shells are quintessential Galapagos headliners.

You’ll find plenty of these crabs along the volcanic coasts of the islands. Coexisting with the sea lions and marine iguanas, they zip around and on top of their neighbors. You can often see Sally Lightfoots fighting with each other to get the food.

What do they eat? Mostly dead animals washed up from shore or leftovers from other animals’ kills. They also eat the algae that grow on the volcanic shores.  

9. Galapagos Penguins

These adorable flightless birds are a must-see on the Galapagos Islands. With less than 1000 breeding pairs left in the world, your best chance at seeing them is while diving.

On land, they’re clumsy and unbalanced. But in the water, they’re fast and agile. Scuba divers adventurous enough to dive in the Galapagos are sure to get a show. If you’re someone who lives for adventure, plan a trip!

Although these penguins live right on the equator, the water keeps them cool. They often avoid sunbathing and prefer to stay in the shade or frolic in the sea.

Want to Learn About More Unique Animals?

The Galapagos Islands are one of the most fascinating habitats in the world. They provide homes for endangered species and the species themselves are unique. From blue-footed boobies to pink iguanas, the wildlife is spectacular.

There are unique animals in interesting habitats all over the world. When planning your next vacation, why not choose a destination with strange creatures? Learn more about weird animals on this planet and start planning your trip!

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