Vea esta publicación en español.

The Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of volcanic islands located 656 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are famous for their stunning and well preserved natural beauty, including a large number of endemic species that are some of the world's most exotic animals.

Today we present five of the most famous animals that are unique to the Galapagos:

1. Giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra)

These are the largest turtles in the world and among the longest living. The largest Galapagos giant tortoise measured almost 6 feet and weight over 880 lbs. They can live over 100 years in the wild while captive individuals have been known to reach 170 years. Today there are only 11 kinds of giant tortoise in the Galapagos, down from 15 when Darwin arrived, and about 15,000 individuals total. All are threatened with extinction. One interesting fact: these huge, peaceful creatures can rest for up to 16 hours per day.

2. Marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)

The Galapagos is home to the only marine iguana in the world! These curious animals live on land but feed on a wide variety of algae on rocks in the sea, either skimming near the surface or diving more than 30 feet (9 m) deep. They can remain underwater for up to 45 minutes, until their body can no longer withstand the cold temperature. It is said that these animals are an excellent example of adaptation. When algae are scarce, they have been seen eating crustaceans, grasshopers, and even terrestrial plants. When even those foods are hard to find, like during severe weather events associated with El Niño, the marine iguanas become thinner and shorter. Marine iguanas have an exotic Jurassic appearance. Males are about 4-5 feet long and females about 2 feet. According to the IUCN, the population of Galapagos marine iguanas consists of approximately 50,000 individuals and is threatened by pollution and predation by exotic species on the islands.

3. Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)

These penguins are the only wild endemic species that live north of the Equator in the Galapagos. They are descendants of a small group of extinct Humboldt penguins that scientists believe were carried to the Islands by the Humboldt Current, which originates in Antarctica and flows north along the west coast of South America from the southern tip of Chile to northern Peru. Unlike other penguins, they can have up to three breeding periods per year, thanks to abundant food (fish and crustaceans) in the islands. They usually lay two eggs and incubate them for about 40 days. Approximately 1,000 individuals of this species live on the islands and they are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Galapagos penguin is the world's third smallest penguin at only 20 inches tall approximately. In Spanish, they are called pájaro bobo, which means "silly bird."

4. Flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi)

Also called the flightless cormorant of the Galapagos, this large endemic bird is unique because it is the only cormorant that has lost the ability to fly. These birds evolved in an isolated island environment that was free of predators. By gradual evolution, they felt no need to fly and eventually lost their flight. Their wings became greatly reduced, measuring only one-third of the area that would be necessary for a bird of its size to fly. These birds live on the rocky shores of the volcanic islands they inhabit, where they fish for eels, small octopuses, fish, and other aquatic creatures. Their population is estimated at around 900 individuals.

5. Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaecki)

These sea lions are among the largest animals of the Galapagos. They can weigh up to 550 lbs! They are a favorite among tourists, who see them lying on rocks, piers, and even benches near the beaches. Galapagos sea lions are very friendly, and it is safe to dive and swim near them as long as you don't disturb them. However, it is common for groups of sea lions to fight each other over territory. Females give birth to one pup per year and care for them until they are two or three years old. Females live longer than males--up to 20 years. The Galapagos is home to about 50,000 sea lions.

The unique wildlife of the Galapagos is part of what makes this destination so special--and fragile as well. To protect these and other important species, tourists are only allowed to visit the Islands with a licensed tour company. Check out these sustainable tourism business in the Galapagos and plan the trip you'll never forget!

This entry was posted on July 23, 2013 at 3:38 PM and has received 2321 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

The blue-footed booby is one of the iconic species of the Galapagos Islands. They live in smaller numbers elsewhere along the Pacific coast of Central and South America and are sometimes even spotted as far north as California! Their interesting mating rituals make them a favorite among ecotourists. Males use their bright blue feet to attract a mate by marching around and showing them off, and sometimes the male and the female will exchange little gifts, like pebbles or twigs.

In order to conserve the Galapagos Island's rich and fragile ecosystems, travelers can visit the islands only with a licensed tour operator. This picture was taken on a tour with Surtrek Ecuador & Galapagos Tours.

This entry was posted on March 8, 2013 at 11:51 AM and has received 886 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Vea esta publicación en español.

Of the eight species of hammerhead shark that exist in the world, six are found in Ecuador. The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), is the most common in the country and the flagship species on the Galapagos National Park insignia.

This photo from Surtrek Ecuador & Galapagos Tours is proof of the overwhelming abundance of these remarkable animals in Ecuador. Surtrek offers cruises and diving excursions in places where hammerhead sharks usually appear and give the tourists a grand show.

This entry was posted on February 8, 2013 at 2:23 PM and has received 707 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

This amazing photograph from Surtrek Ecuador & Galapagos Tours captures the many beautiful colors of the Galapagos in one enviable shot: myriad shades of blue, forest green, almond sand, and a shock of lovely pink. Flamingos are just one of the many visually surreal elements that make up the ecological anomaly that is the Galapagos Islands. These unique birds are always a favorite among travelers for their odd appearance, peculiar habits, and, of course, their blushing hue. If you're really lucky, you might catch a group of flamingos during one of their bizarre and impressive courtship displays, which consists of intricate synchronized dances.

This entry was posted on December 7, 2012 at 10:58 AM and has received 836 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Sea kayaking is one of the best ways to see the famed Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. A yacht cruise may be more comfortable, but kayakers will be able to explore the tiny islets, deserted beaches, and other breathtaking locations that yacht tours can only see from afar. Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido (Sleeping Lion) is one such location. The gigantic, 500-foot rock formation is what remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea. Look closely, and you'll see a vertical fissure that creates a narrow channel in the rock. Adventurous kayakers can paddle through and earn a spectacular view of two sheer rock faces jutting up to the sky on both sides.

This entry was posted on September 28, 2012 at 10:32 AM and has received 801 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

The giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands represent one of the most well known tourist attractions in the world – and it's no surprise why. These magnificent reptiles are a wonder to behold. They can grow to be up to 880 pounds and almost 6 feet in length, live up to 200 years, and famously served as inspiration for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Travelers flock to the islands off the coast of Ecuador to see these gentle giants, either in protected man-made enclosures or in the wild.

Since Sunday, the world has been mourning Lonesome George, the last known individual of the Pinta Island subspecies of Galapagos giant tortoise who died earlier this week from what scientists have determined are natural causes. Now, just 10 of the original 15 subspecies of Galapagos giant tortoises are left.

How did Lonesome George come to be the last of his kind? And what happened to the other four subspecies that have disappeared into extinction? Unfortunately, the answer is a long history of unsustainable human exploitation.

In the 1600s, the Galapagos Islands were a popular stop for buccaneers, who would gather tortoises onto their ships and store them live for many months and use them for fresh meat. In later centuries, whalers, settlers, and other visitors to the islands hunted these creatures for meat and oil. In 1958, fishermen seeking a new source of food introduced feral goats to Pinta Island, where Lonesome George and the rest of his surviving brethren lived. The feral goats quickly multiplied and devoured almost all of the island's vegetation. As a result, the Pinta Island subspecies of tortoise was thought to be completely wiped out – until a surprised scientist discovered Lonesome George in 1971. The population of all Galapagos giant tortoises was estimated to have dropped from 250,000 individuals in the 1600s to only 3,000 individuals in the 1970s.

Thanks to conservation efforts, including the establishment of Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Foundation, the current population of Galapagos giant tortoises has risen to about 15,000. The death of Lonesome George is a sad reminder of nature's fragility and our own responsibility to protect it. As travelers, we are given the gift of experiencing beautiful wildlife, sometimes in the world's most delicate ecosystems. We come to deserve this gift only by being aware of own impact and taking the necessary steps to do no harm.

If we want the many treasures of the Galapagos Islands to survive for generations, it is imperative for us to travel sustainably. Sustainable tour operators and cruises in the Galapagos Islands operate in such a way that does not harm the islands' plants or wildlife. They also contribute to local conservation efforts headed up by regional or international nonprofit organizations.

Here's a list of some responsible Galapagos tours and cruises on SustainableTrip.org:

• Ecoventura - Galápagos Network
• Surtrek Ecuador & Galapagos Tours
• Via Natura
• Ecuador Adventure

This entry was posted on June 28, 2012 at 9:06 AM and has received 1456 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.