Natur og dyreliv

Galápagos tortoise is a collective name for several closely related giant tortoise species, not a single uniform animal. Different island populations have distinctive histories, shell shapes and ecological needs.

Stay on authorized paths and allow tortoises an unobstructed route. Do not touch shells, feed animals or crowd their heads; retreating defensively interrupts normal activity.

The marine iguana is an endemic Galápagos reptile whose feeding ecology is uniquely tied to marine algae. Ashore, its dark body, blunt face and spiny crest blend with volcanic rock.

Observe from designated shore paths, keeping at least the required park distance and following your guide.

The Galápagos land iguana is a large, mostly herbivorous lizard native to several islands in the archipelago.

Give basking iguanas and burrow entrances a wide berth, following park distance rules.

The Galápagos penguin is a small endemic penguin whose survival near the equator depends on cool, productive ocean currents.

Observe resting penguins from authorized coastal viewpoints or a distant deck.

The blue-footed booby is an eastern Pacific seabird best known for the vivid feet displayed during courtship.

Stay on authorized coastal trails and leave ample space around ground nests and resting birds.

The Nazca booby is a large tropical seabird of the eastern Pacific, with important breeding colonies in the Galapagos.

Observe colonies from authorized trails or a vessel's deck, keeping clear of nests and approach paths.

Red-footed boobies are slender tropical seabirds whose vivid feet contrast with blue-toned bills and variable plumage. Adults may be mostly white, mostly brown or intermediate, so colour alone can mislead observers.

Watch from approved paths, coastal viewpoints or deck, leaving nesting trees undisturbed. Never stand beneath an occupied branch for close photographs or encourage flight.

The waved albatross is a tropical member of a family more often associated with cold, windy oceans.

Remain on authorised guided trails and give walking birds priority, particularly near departure areas and nests. Never prompt a display or block a bird's path.

The flightless cormorant is a Galápagos endemic confined to the coasts of Fernandina and western Isabela.

Watch resting birds from authorized coastal paths or a vessel at a respectful distance.

The Galápagos hawk is an endemic raptor and one of the archipelago's principal native terrestrial predators. Adults are dark brown, with strong yellow feet and a barred tail.

Scan ridges and exposed branches from designated trails.

The Galápagos sea lion is an endemic marine mammal whose life alternates between ocean feeding trips and resting or breeding ashore.

Watch from designated paths or a respectful deck distance, following the guide's minimum separation rules.

The Galápagos fur seal is an endemic eared seal adapted to life on a tropical archipelago influenced by cool ocean currents.

Observe shaded lava ledges from authorized paths or a distant deck.

The magnificent frigatebird is a large tropical seabird built for effortless soaring, with extremely long wings and a deeply forked tail.

Scan above coastal roosts and bays from public paths or decks. Keep away from nesting shrubs and avoid flushing resting birds for photographs.

The great frigatebird is a tropical seabird built for sustained aerial travel, with extremely long wings and a deeply forked tail.

Watch soaring birds from shore or a distant deck, and remain on authorized colony paths.

The swallow-tailed gull is a distinctive seabird centered on the Galápagos, with a smaller breeding presence on Colombia's Malpelo Island.

Use authorized paths and maintain the required wildlife distance.

The lava gull is a dark-plumaged gull found only in the Galápagos Islands.

Scan beaches before walking onto open sand, and retreat if a gull alarms repeatedly.

The American flamingo is a tall, vividly coloured wading bird of saline and brackish wetlands around the Caribbean and nearby regions, including a small Galápagos population.

Watch from marked lagoon trails or designated hides with binoculars. Avoid advancing across exposed mudflats, which can disturb feeding birds and nesting areas.

The medium ground finch is a Galapagos endemic and one of the best-studied examples of evolution in wild populations.

Watch from marked trails and let feeding birds move freely past you. Never offer crumbs or water, and keep bags closed.

The Galápagos mockingbird is the most widespread of the archipelago's four endemic mockingbird species. A long-tailed, gray-brown bird with a curved bill, it is often conspicuous around scrub and open woodland.

Let curious birds approach or withdraw on their own, keeping food and drink secured.

Galápagos lava lizard is a collective label for several endemic Microlophus species, rather than one unambiguous species name. Different islands support different forms, with variation in size, markings and coloration.

Watch sunlit trail edges without pursuing lizards into cover.