3. LOCALITATION GEOGRAPHICAL
Situated in the Pacific
some 1,000 km from
the South American
continent, these
islands and the
surrounding marine
reserve have been
called a unique 'living
museum and
showcase of
evolution'.
4. FAUNA
What makes the Galapagos so rich, however, is the
proximity and availability to study the amazing
animals and plant life found here, as if you were in
a university lab! Following is a list and small
description of the most famous inhabitants of these
enchanted island
5. The Galapagos
Tortoise
Lonesome George (Spanish:Solitario Jorge)
Is a tortoise, the last known individual of the Pinta Island
tortoise which is one of eight to fifteen extant subspecies
of Galápagos tortoise all of which are native to the Galápagos
Islands
7. THE MARINE TURTLE :
This graceful animal is astounding
to watch while snorkeling or
diving.
The pacific green sea turtle is the
only resident marine turtle of the
Galapagos
LAND IGUANAS :
These colorful creatures
are nothing short of
spectacular. They prefer
prickly pear cactus,
standing on their hind legs
to reach the flowering
plant.
8. THE CORMORANT :
The only flightless cormorant in the
world! Over years, it evolved into a
great swimmer, losing the capacity to
fly. To see this bird, you have to get to
the sest side of Isabela. It's well worth
the time and trip to see this amazing
torpedo in the water.
PENGUINS :
This is the only penguin found in
equatorial waters - warm waters.
It's the most northerly penguin in
the world, as the rest are found in
the Southern Hemisphere.
Isla Isabela and Fernandina have
the most penguins.
9. THE WAVED ALBATROSS :
The waved albatross is a resident of
the Galapagos, and if you make it to
the islands from April to December, it
can be seen on Isla Santa Cruz.
THE FRIGATEBIRD :
These scoundrels don't like to do much
fishing, and so you can see them trying to
distract boobies and other birds to snatch
the prey caught by others.
They are most spectacular during
courtship when the male bird inflates the
flap of bright-red skin found under his
beak.
10. Mammals
Galapagos include two species of bat, two
endemic rice rat species and its most famous
mammals - the Galapagos sea lion and fur
seal. You will never tire of seeing these
playful, beautiful creatures swim through the
waters and waddle on land.
Under the sea is a world rich with tropical fish,
corals, sharks, eels, rays, dolphins and more.
11. The flora of the islands is equally
F interesting and diverse.
The Galapagos has three marked zones:
othe littoral zone,
L othe arid zone, and
othe transition zone.
O The miconia zone and fern-sedge zone are
also found on the islands. Mangroves are
the main flora found in the littoral zone,
where the plants can tolerate high levels of
R salt.
A
12. ¡¡There are hundreds of plant species!!
Surprisingly, the Galapagos is
quite arid, and islands are
covered with prickly pear cacti
(our land iguanas' favorite treat),
the palo santo and acacias
among others.
13. CLIMATE
The ocean's surface temperature ranges
greatly from 7 to 28 centigrade grades
January to March is considered the
hot/wet season,
March being the hottest month of the
year. The islands are brimming with
plant life, and the water temperatures
are ideal for snorkeling and diving at
this time of year. Because of the
climate changes in July through
September, there's less rain
14. When you choose the time of year to visit the Galapagos,
prioritize. Decide what you would rather do and see, as
not all animals are present at all times of year
