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The Galápagos Islands support a wide variety of different sea, land and bird life. All of these are very tame and easy to see during a tour. Some of the most interesting fauna species are:
Marine Life
Green Sea Turtle
When diving or snorkeling, or even when aboard a boat, visitors to the Galápagos Islands may be lucky enough to spot a Green Sea Turtle or two during their trip. This turtle has a shell that is green to black. They are found around all of the islands. However, common places for nesting include Gardner Bay on Española Island, Las Bachas on Santa Cruz and on Bartolomé. These turtles can weigh as much as 150 kilograms and the female is bigger than the male.
The best season to observe Green Sea Turtles mating is from November to January. While the turtle is most frequently underwater, travelers may see the turtles bobbing around on the surface at times, and this is often where the mating happens. Males and females mate with a number of partners. After this, the female builds a nest on the shore. She lays eggs up to eight times over a period of two weeks. Each time she might deposit eighty eggs.
The baby turtles are born after three weeks. They are at risk from their predators, which are birds, crabs and sharks. Introduced species such as cats, dogs and rats also pose a threat. Only a very small number of those born will live to adulthood.
The Galápagos Islands support a wide variety of different sea, land and bird life....
Galápagos Shark
The Galápagos Shark is the most common shark found in the Galápagos islands. Its first dorsal fin is tall, with a rounded tip. This type of shark is part of the Requiem Shark family, which is found in seas all over the world. They are most frequently observed in big groups. They may grow to be as long as 3.7 meters in length.
The Galápagos Shark prefers reef areas that are clear and are located near the islands in the ocean. Their diet consists of bottom-dwellers, while some will eat marine iguanas and sea lions. Sometimes they might be seen attacking the Galápagos fur seals as well. They may also eat garbage, and are sometimes aggressive with people.
The female sharks will have a litter every two or three years. There may be anywhere between four and sixteen baby sharks each time. The young sharks are at threat from predators, such as older sharks. Generally, Galápagos Sharks are at threat from fishing around the islands.
Hammerhead Shark
The Hammerhead Shark is easily distinguishable from other marine life and sharks due to its very unusually shaped head. The head is shaped in such a way that it looks like a flat hammer, hence the name, “hammerhead.” The scientific community has spent a lot of time investigating the reason for this strange head shape. It is thought that the head shape increases maneuverability and the senses. In particular, they can sense changes in electrical field and pressure with their odd head. They are a brownish green or gray on the upper side, and white underneath.
