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Galapagos Islands .com > Galapagos Islands Overview > Galapagos Animals
Galapagos Animals and Wildlife Gallery
They may look evil, vicious, even like something you would never want near your children, but Marine Iguanas are remarkably indifferent to your presence, very vegetarian, and you might even consider them for a quiet, hypo-alergenic family pet (if they were not a unique species in a protected environment). These lizards, which most likely share ancestors with their larger land dwelling cousins, have avoided the pressures of eating the limited vegetable resources on the islands. They have adapted themselves to gnaw algae off of the lava rocks close to shore. In order to digest their meal, they spend most of their days basking on rocks -- "cooking" their food after they have eaten it.
With less that 150 mating pairs in existance, you are more likely to see a Galapagos Hawk in the air than perched close by. And with their keen vision, while circling in the sky, they are more likely to see you than vice versa. Being one of the Islands most important endemic scavengers, they play an essential role at the "top" of the food chain.
Named after the warship, Frigate, these birds live up to their namesake, stealing catches away from other birds. However, aren't entirely pilfering seabirds; they occasionally use their highly developed aviation skills and hooked beaks to snag what they cannot steal. As in the photo, their most notable feature is the male's inflated red airsack and head shaking routine during mating season.
Born much darker (almost black) in color as to avoid predation, Sally Light-foot crab grows gains more vermillion as it grows larger. Nimble-footed and photogenic, these crabs make for excellent models --though they may be a bit shy for close-ups, scurrying away sideways, up slopes and even upside down. Occasionally you may see a crab "spitting" from near its eye. Actually, the stream of liquid you notice is the Sally Light-foot crab's way of expelling saltwater that seeps into its exoskeleton.
On a nighttime voyage in the Galapagos waters, the form of a bird will follow the boat for what seems like miles. These are the nocturnal swallow-tailed gulls, hunting the night swimming marine life of the sea. With their red eye-ring and indifferent attitude towards cameras and close-ups, they are a cute and patient model. Though if you get too close, they will let you know with their sharp alarm call.
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