Galapagos Islands News

The reptiles of the Galapagos Islands are a fascinating bunch. Unlike birds, reptiles cannot fly to Galapagos, so all of them had to get there by accident. Reptiles such as snakes, tortoises and iguanas presumably were washed off of the mainland somehow clinging to floating material such as fallen trees or reeds, arriving at Galapagos after some weeks at sea. Once there, they all had to adapt to the harsh Galapagos environment. The Galapagos marine iguanas are a good example: their mainland ancestors lived in trees, eating fruit. Once in Galapagos, they adapted to eating underwater algae and living on rocky shores.

Like all reptiles, the species in Galapagos have life cycles of mating, nesting, marking territory, etc. If you want to see your favorite species, follow this helpful guide!

The Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Where to see them:

Athala Visitor Sites: La Galapaguera (San Cristóbal), Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)

Nina Visitor Sites: La Galapaguera (San Cristóbal), Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz)

The Galapagos Giant Tortoise is perhaps the most famous of all Galapagos species, the animal that most visitors want to see! These gentle giants were once abundant on several islands, but early whaling ships and pirates often carried them off because they can survive for a long time at sea without food or water, providing fresh meat for sailors who have been away from land for a while. The Floreana subspecies, for example, was still abundant when Charles Darwin visited in 1835, but by 1846 it was extinct.

The best places to see them are at any one of the three breeding stations: there is one each on San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands. On Santa Cruz in Puerto Ayora you’ll find them at the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is home to the most famous of all Galapagos Island Tortoises: Lonesome George, the last surviving individual of the Pinta Island subspecies.

It’s also possible to see the Giant Tortoises in their native habitat, the island highlands (generally on Santa Cruz). There are usually some there year-round, but the best time to see them is from June to December, when most of them have come up from the lowlands.

Marine Iguanas:

Where to see them:

Athala Visitor Sites: Isla Lobos, Punta Suárez, Islas Plaza, North Seymour

Nina Visitor Sites: Punta Suárez, Islas Plaza, North Seymour, Punta Espinosa, Isla Lobos

A most remarkable animal, the marine iguana can be seen year-round at many Galapagos visitor sites. On Punta Suárez (Española) lives a variety of the marine iguana with green and red coloring: it is sometimes called the “Christmas Iguana.” The mating season for marine iguanas begins at a different time on different islands, but generally around November-December. Males can often be seen in December “fighting” one another by butting heads: this is to establish dominance. In January and February, females dig a nest and lay the eggs, which begin to hatch in late May. June is a great time to see cute baby marine iguanas!

Land Iguanas:

Where to see them:

Athala Visitor Sites: Baltra, Cerro Dragon, Charles Darwin Research Station, North Seymour, Islas Plaza

Nina Visitor Sites: Charles Darwin Research Station, North Seymour, Islas Plaza

Galapagos land iguanas are larger than their marine cousins, and they’re more colorful as well: they’re a dull golden yellow. They’re vegetarians, preferring tender cacti and fruit. Also unlike marine iguanas, it’s rare to see more than one at a time. There are some at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where they’re protected and can breed in captivity.

Recently, scientists discovered another species of land iguana, the Galapagos Pink Iguana. There is only a very small population of these pink iguanas on one of the volcanoes on Isabela Island: at present it is not possible to visit the site and see the iguanas.

Lava lizards, geckos and snakes:

Visible at almost all visitor sites, Galapagos Lava Lizards are small, quick lizards who mostly eat insects. There are different species on different islands: the largest is the Española variety. They are territorial and can often be seen doing “push-ups,” an action that marks their territory.

There are six endemic and three introduced species of gecko in the Galapagos. They’re nocturnal and eat insects and can often be seen climbing walls, windows or ceilings. They’re found on most of the islands but are generally hard to see unless one comes into your hotel room!

There are four species of snake in Galapagos, all of which are harmless. The Hood Racer is found only on Española, the Banded Galapagos snake is only on Fernandina, Isabela and Pinzón, the Striped Galapagos Snake is on Baltra, Seymour, Rábida, Santiago and Santa Cruz and the Galapagos Racer is on most of the islands. The snakes are all small and shy: they’re constrictors who prey on small lizards and iguanas, insects and nestling birds.