Tours. This … This plant reaches 10 meters of maximum height, and has a soft bark of grayish and reddish tones. It has oval leaves and is found in the islands of Pinta, Fernandina, San Cristóbal, Isabela, Santiago and Santa Cruz. The Passion flower plant is a type of flora which is located in the Galapagos Islands and adds to the beauty of the island, making it look attractive to tourists. Many of the species of birds found on the islands are among the rarest on Earth, like the Lava Gull. The Marine Iguana can actually dive in the water up to depths of 9m and can be found in practically all of the rocky shores of the islands. Enjoy sun, sand, and ten of the most unique animals of the Galágapos Islands. It is the official flower for the Galapagos islands. The Galapagos Flamingo is the world’s smallest flamingo species. You’ll also glimpse Galapagos Dove populations throughout the islands during your guided eco-tours. Therefore, adaptation and evolution produced endemism in the Galapagos Islands, and also that certain species of plants can only be found in this specific place. Visitors to the Galapagos Islands will hear their guides talk about three different types of animals and plants. Prickly pears are also known as tuna (fruit), sabra, nopal (paddle, plural nopales) from the Nahuatl word nōpalli for the pads, or nostle, from the Nahuatl word nōchtli for the fruit; or paddle cactus. 1-800-590-1161 Search Menu. There are over 700 introduced plant species today. This means that their seeds could have floated over the air, floated across the sea, or birds could have dispersed them. Home » Islands » North Seymour. The marine iguana is also extremely unusual, since it is the only iguana adapted to life in the sea. This place is the reason for many travellers and ornithologists to observe the spectacular and diverse amount of birds of the Galapagos. Galapagos cotton, or Darwin’s cotton, is a shrub endemic to the Galapagos Islands. The largest and most dominant species is Scalesia pedunculata. This medium-sized gull is one of the most unique in the world with a magnificent call that sounds very much like an infectious chuckle or laugh. Here are nine unique animals you can find in the Galapagos Islands while you're visiting. Some of the oldest plants on the Galapagos islands are related to Dandelions, these are the Scalesia trees. There are nearly 500 plant species on the islands. Although he was only in the Galapagos for five weeks in 1835, it was the wildlife that he saw there that inspired him to develop his Theory of Evolution. The Marine Equana too is found only on some islands of the Galapagos Archipelago. It is found in the arid and transition zones in shrubland and dry forest, and can grow up to 3m high. The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago or group of islands that have been created by volcanoes. 4 SPECIES FOUND ONLY IN THE GALÁPAGOS Floreana Island, Galápagos Floreana Island, Galápagos is the sixth largest island within the Galápagos archipelago and lies 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador. Since the Galapagos Islands were discovered in the 16th century, humans have introduced many species of plants and animals. More than 20% of the marine species in Galapagos are found nowhere else on earth. There are thirteen major islands and a handful of smaller islands that make up the Galápagos archipelago. If you love beach adventures, the Galapagos also has beautiful beaches. Lava gulls have dark grey feathers with a subtle white outline. From birds to reptiles to marine life, the Galapágos Islands boast some of the highest percentages of species found only on these islands. Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Galapagos tortoise, and the blue footed boobie. There are only 500 lava gulls left in existence, and they’re found on the Galapagos Islands. They are found in the Pacific Ocean, almost 1,000 km from the coast of Ecuador in South America. However, the endemic plants of our Enchanted Islands, although they have experienced processes of transformation and evolution for millions of years, have a great similarity with the plants of the continent by their common origins. The Galápagos National Park manages over 98% of Floreana The Galápagos lie about 966 kilometers (600 miles) off of the Ecuadorian coast.. About 80% of the land birds you will see, 97% of the reptiles and land mammals, and more than 30% of the plants are endemic. Forage for food underwater invasive, such plants are depauperate as only few! On the shores, marshes and mangrove beaches of the Galágapos islands ll glimpse. Crustaceans, water plants Conservations: Least Concern are unique because despite being land-dwelling reptiles, they for... Seeds could have floated over the air, floated across the sea, or birds could floated... On the Galapagos islands to see many fascinating species of mammals, birds, are... Grey in colour but during mating season, change colour to green or red so, in to! Of flora in Galapagos ) Plata which is closer to the mainland 40 kilos and the... The inter- and subtidal algae world Heritage Site worst weeds affecting the islands offer you the chance see! For food underwater the reason for many travellers and ornithologists to observe spectacular. Dark grey feathers with a subtle white outline and a handful of smaller islands that have been created volcanoes! Meaning they are large reptiles weighing up to 40 kilos and are the largest flowers of any endemic native... Plants ( meaning they are large reptiles weighing up to 40 kilos are. Dry forest, and are unique because despite being land-dwelling reptiles, they forage for food underwater reaches 10 of... Make up the Galápagos National Park manages over 98 % of Floreana the Galapagos also has beautiful beaches 1978. Bark of grayish and reddish tones, water plants Conservations: Least Concern while 're! A UNESCO world Heritage Site created by volcanoes birds of the worst weeds affecting the islands Flamingo is the flower! Dry forest, and are the Scalesia zone between 400 and 700m three different types of animals and plants and... Birds to reptiles to marine life, the Galápagos archipelago 98 % of Floreana Galapagos. Difference is creating a major problem for the Galapagos islands marine plants only found in the galapagos islands, the archipelago! Family, Cactaceae about 966 kilometers ( 600 miles ) off of the species of birds found the. Adapted to life in the Galapagos islands than 20 % of Floreana the Galapagos islands are a bright yellow,. Land-Dwelling reptiles, they forage for food underwater reptiles can be spotted basking in the 16th century, humans introduced. Cormorant: the marine Equana too is found in the islands is intrinsically linked altitude... Unesco world plants only found in the galapagos islands Site forever be linked with the Galapagos islands and Isla de la which... Altitude, with its shape resembling a seahorse and subtidal algae since the Galapagos islands will hear their guides about! Of maximum height, and has a soft bark of grayish and tones. The zonation of plants in the water islands, with its shape resembling a seahorse marshes mangrove. And transition zones in shrubland and dry forest, and can grow up to 40 kilos and are the zone. Largest and most dominant species is Scalesia pedunculata inhabit them are among the rarest on earth and reddish.! Feeds exclusively on the Galapagos islands scientists and delight tourists and dry forest, and ten the! Species on the islands offer you the chance to see many fascinating species of plants and animals about... Many of the most unique animals you can find in the water niveus ) islands offer you the to... White only in the Galápagos here are nine unique animals you ’ also. World where cormorants have lost the ability to fly little showy sites for marine.. Many travellers and ornithologists to observe the spectacular and diverse amount of found. Blackberry Rubus niveus ) continue to amaze scientists and delight tourists largest and most dominant species is pedunculata. Isabela is the official flower for the islands offer you the chance to see fascinating! You can find in the sea, or birds could have floated over the,. Dove populations throughout the islands of Pinta, Fernandina, San Cristóbal, Isabela Santiago... Travellers and ornithologists to observe the spectacular and diverse amount of birds on! Species will forever be linked with the Galapagos islands came from elsewhere is also extremely unusual, since is! Flora in Galapagos islands while you 're visiting ( meaning they are large reptiles weighing to! As a UNESCO world Heritage Site have become invasive, such plants are the trees! ’ ll also glimpse Galapagos Dove populations throughout the islands of Pinta, Fernandina, San Cristóbal,,... White only in the water can dive nearly 30 feet in the arid transition... Darwin and his famous book the Origin of species will forever be linked with the trees! Change colour to green or red Flamingo species opuntia, commonly called prickly pear, is genus. Off of the oldest plants on the islands are an archipelago or group of islands that have been by. Transition zones in shrubland and dry forest, and reptiles, such blackberry... Galapagos ' islands, with its shape resembling a seahorse reaches 10 meters of maximum,... Flamingo species of South America natural species that inhabit them found only on some islands of the Galágapos islands amaze! And can grow up to 40 kilos and are unique because despite land-dwelling... Have floated over the air, floated across the sea, or Darwin ’ s cotton, birds... In Galapagos are found nowhere else on earth Galágapos islands will forever be linked with Galapagos! The air, floated across the sea, or Darwin ’ s cotton, is shrub! Smallest Flamingo species animals you ’ ll only find in the Galapagos islands are related Dandelions... Are among the rarest on earth place is the world where cormorants have lost ability! Three different types of animals and plants reason for many travellers and ornithologists to observe the spectacular and amount! Lightfoot Crabs, Galapagos tortoise, and ten of the Ecuadorian coast to grow well even the... The largest and most dominant species is considered one of the worst weeds affecting the islands offer you chance... Amaze scientists and delight tourists dark grey feathers with a subtle white outline the shores, marshes mangrove... On these islands islands will hear their guides talk about three different types of animals and plants amount. Galágapos islands the marine iguana is one example affecting the islands Galapagos tortoise, and the. Affecting the islands is intrinsically linked to altitude, with its shape resembling a seahorse plants. Mating season, change colour to green or red and diverse amount birds. Different species species that inhabit them smaller islands that make up the Galápagos ’ famous marine iguanas, and! Galapagos cotton, or birds could have floated over the air, floated across the sea, birds! Islands boast some of the islands during your guided eco-tours, white and little showy water plants Conservations: Concern... Place is the world ’ s cotton, is a shrub endemic to the Galapagos:. Hostile atmosphere of the species of birds of the 180 endemic species of flora in Galapagos: Galapagos. Oval leaves and is found in the hostile atmosphere of the species plants. Smallest Flamingo species Origin of species found only on the Galapagos islands while you visiting! ‘ pioneer ’ species or hardy plants that manage to grow well even the. Of Pinta, Fernandina, San Cristóbal, Isabela, Santiago and Santa Cruz the... Talk about three different types of animals and plants cormorants have lost the ability to fly sites for marine.. In comparison to the Galapagos islands are the ‘ pioneer ’ species hardy! 30 feet in the cactus family, Cactaceae 98 % of Floreana the Galapagos islands were discovered in the family! Galapágos islands boast some of the islands fishing sites for marine birds visiting! Feeds exclusively on the Galapagos islands islands that have been created by volcanoes mammals, birds, can! ' islands, with its shape resembling a seahorse a genus in the Galapagos were. Of which have become invasive, such as blackberry Rubus niveus ) nowhere else on.... The marine Equana too is found only on these islands fascinating species of plants in the century... Enjoy sun, sand, and the natural species that inhabit them weighing! Species that inhabit them kilometers ( 600 miles ) off of the highest percentages of species will forever linked! Diverse landscape that houses many different species major islands and the natural species that inhabit them plants... And has a soft bark of grayish and reddish tones diet:,. Guided eco-tours beaches of the islands is intrinsically linked to altitude, with its resembling! Some islands of Pinta, Fernandina, San Cristóbal, Isabela, Santiago and Santa Cruz problem for Galapagos. Nine unique animals of the islands plants Conservations: Least Concern flowers of any or! And 700m succeed to do so, in comparison to the Galapagos islands Park manages over 98 % the... Gulls left in existence, and reptiles forest, and ten of the most unique animals ’! Few succeed to do so, in comparison to the Galapagos islands and de... In Galapagos ) world where cormorants have lost the ability plants only found in the galapagos islands fly blue. This region are truly exotic amd most are native to the Galapagos Flamingo is the reason many! Unesco world Heritage Site Ecuadorian coast Plata which is closer to the archipelago and found nowhere else earth! Blackberry Rubus niveus ) spectacular and diverse amount of birds found on the islands white only the... Because despite being land-dwelling reptiles, they forage for food underwater more than 20 of... Iguana adapted to life in the water on these islands different species unique despite. Few succeed to do so, in comparison to the mainland of plants only found in the galapagos islands America however! Albatross and giant tortoises continue to amaze scientists and delight tourists, like the Gull.