Animals you should see in the Galapagos Islands / I Part

If one of the objectives of your trips is to go in search of the fauna of the country or region that you visit, when you go to Ecuador you have to include the Galapagos Islands in your itinerary. Yes, it's a bit expensive but it's worth it!

Photo: A marine iguana, of the thousands that you will see everywhere

My trip to this place was also the first time I used the famous miles that the airlines give you when you accumulate kilometers, that's why the passage to Quito from there came for free. I could not believe it!

There are more than 20 islands between large and small, the animal species that inhabit there, some unique in the world, were the protagonists of the theory of biological evolution (1859) by English naturalist Charles Darwin, which made him famous and impacted by complete knowledge of the natural world.

Photo: Arriving at Baltra Island, where the main airport of the Galapagos is located

Today, wildlife is the main attraction of these remote and mythical islands of the Pacific full of biodiversity and animals that surprisingly do not fear us humans and come to us to browse.

So if you are a fan of wild life like me, here I propose to meet some animals in their natural habitat that you will never forget.

1) Giant turtle

Photo: Charles Darwin Research Station

This reptile is the emblem of the Galapagos Islands, its most famous inhabitant, and has it well earned. As soon as I arrived at Santa Cruz Island and left my things in the accommodation, I walked to the Charles Darwin Research Station, in the center of Puerto Ayora. In this place you can see them in wide but fenced areas, to observe for the first time these giants made me feel in prehistory.

Photo: Reserve El Chato

Not only do they have an incredible size, but also their long neck, movements and look seem unreal. I liked them so much that I also went to see more specimens in the reserve El Chato, where they are in total freedom and you can get closer to them although it is forbidden to touch them or feed them.

2) Marine iguana

Photo: These reptiles love being glued to one another

It is the only lizard in the world that depends totally on the sea to live, maybe its aspect gives a little fear, but the truth is quite good-natured. These vegetarian iguanas (they eat seaweed) are everywhere where there is beach nearby.

I was able to interact more with them on the way to Bahía Tortuga, a beautiful white sand beach which is reached in half an hour walking on a path southwest of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island). There they are seen piling up in the sun, some are gray and others are black as coal. Its size also varies, there is up to one and a half meters. It does not matter to them that you are near, nor do they flinch, with their punk-like crest on their heads, long nails and a smiling face, they pass you by almost hitting you with their tail when they go to jump into the water.

3) Blue-footed Alcatraz

Photo: In addition to the Galapagos Islands, this bird can also be seen in Peru and the Bay of California (USA)

This seabird is comical from blue feet to head. If there is fish nearby, they will be there. I met them at the Puerto Ayora market, where the fishermen arrive early in the morning and begin to clean the fish for sale.

Photo: Waiting for its snack at the fishing market on Santa Cruz Island

They approach without fear of the people and take advantage of any discarded piece. While they wait, they take steps with their graceful legs of intense blue color as if they were dancing.

4) Sea lion

Photo: Puerto Chino, San Cristóbal Island

Not every day you walk beside an animal like this and less swim with him in its natural habitat. This is one of the privileges you can have when visiting the Galapagos Islands. You'll see the sea lion waiting at the fishermen's market to eat something extra, on the beaches sleeping a nap or just anywhere.

Photo: With a baby, after having swum with the big ones

When I went to the beach of La Lobería on San Cristóbal Island, I was able to swim with them, I confess that when I dived with my mask and saw them circling around me with such ease and speed I got a little scared, but then I understood that they were actually playing, they just enjoy showing their skills under the sea and interacting with people.

I read that there are about 50 thousand in the whole archipelago. I love seeing animals happy in freedom, outside of zoos.

5) Darwin’s Finches

Photo: Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz Island

That a little bird comes near you because you are dropping crumbs may be normal, but that a bird stand in your hands, feet and even your head when you realize that you are eating something is not common, at least for me, and this happens everywhere when you're outdoors in the Galapagos Islands. They are Darwin's finches, small terrestrial birds that do not feel fear for human beings.

Photo: ¿Pedicure?

It's not that they attack you or anything, they just want to taste a bit of your food hehehe ... there are 13 different species of Pinzones scattered around several islands of the archipelago.

6) Zapaya or Crab from the rocks

Photo: This can be seen on any rock in the Galapagos Islands

These striking orange crabs attract attention quickly, especially if they walk on the black rocks of volcanic origin that abound in these islands. When you look more closely, you realize that in addition to the color orange, they have more colors in their lower part, such as red or blue.

I saw them in various sizes and then I read that they can measure up to 20 cm wide. Sometimes you can see them in the company of marine iguanas.