Les « Big 15 »
Meet the Galápagos ‘Big 15’: the archipelago’s most iconic animals. This guide shows where you’re most likely to see them, from the brightly coloured Española marine iguanas (often nicknamed the ‘Christmas iguanas’) to the famous Galápagos giant tortoise.
Lecture de 5 min
Comme les îles Galápagos sont restées à l’écart du monde pendant des millions d’années, les animaux de la région n’ont aucune crainte des humains. Les voyageurs ont ainsi la possibilité de s’approcher au plus près d’une grande variété d’espèces. Mammifères marins, oiseaux, reptiles... Nombreux sont les animaux extraordinaires qui ont élu domicile sur le sol volcanique de ces îles. Vous rencontrerez nombre de ces créatures au cours de votre expédition.
Le cormoran aptère
Les cormorans aptères sont d’étranges petits oiseaux. Il s’agit du seul type de cormoran incapable de voler. Parmi les rituels de reproduction uniques dont ont hérité ces cormorans, à une période donnée, les femmes se battent pour attirer l’attention des mâles.
Le fou à pieds rouges
Le fou à pieds rouges est bien moins commun que les espèces à pieds bleus et de Grant. Ces oiseaux énergiques parcourent souvent près de 150 km à la recherche de nourriture. Particulièrement agiles et précis, ils sont de redoutables pêcheurs.
La buse des Galápagos
Les buses des Galápagos cherchent en permanence à dénicher les petits oiseaux, lézards et tortues qui vivent sur les îles. Ce rapace à la robe foncée impressionne par ses caractéristiques. Comme son espèce est endémique aux îles Galápagos, sa population mondiale reste très réduite.
L’iguane marin
Ces créatures, capables de changer de couleur, chassent leurs proies aussi bien sous l’eau que sur terre. Les algues constituent la première source de nourriture de ce type d’iguanes. Cette espèce endémique est la seule variété de lézard marin de la planète qui fréquente l’océan.
Le flamant des Galápagos
Le flamant des Galápagos, qui arbore l’un des plumages les plus éclatants de toutes les espèces connues, doit ses couleurs uniques aux crevettes dont il se nourrit. Bien qu’ils puissent mesurer plus de 1,20 m, ces oiseaux ne pèsent qu’environ 2,7 kg en moyenne. Ils reposent généralement sur une seule patte pour conserver la chaleur de corps.
Albatros des Galápagos
Les albatros des Galápagos sont difficiles à observer, car ils résident uniquement sur l’île Española. Avec une envergure pouvant dépasser deux mètres et un poids de cinq kilos, ce sont les plus grands oiseaux de la région. Ils présentent également des rituels de reproduction uniques et peuvent se déplacer sur de très grandes distances.
Le fou à pieds bleus
Malgré la forte popularité des fous à pieds bleus, ils ne sont pas toujours faciles à apercevoir. Les pattes palmées bleu éclatant de cette espèce détonnent au premier coup d’œil. Leurs pieds palmés ne prennent cette couleur bleue que lorsqu’ils arrivent à l’âge adulte.
Le fou de Grant
Le fou de Grant n’est pas endémique des îles Galápagos. Attention, même si ces petites créatures semblent gentilles au premier abord, elles peuvent se montrer agressives pour assurer leur survie. Doté d’un plumage noir et blanc et d’un bec orange, c’est la plus grande espèce de la famille des fous de bassan.
L’otarie des Galápagos
Vous aurez certainement la chance de rencontrer ces adorables créatures des mers sur presque toutes les îles des Galápagos. Bien qu’elles passent le plus clair de leur temps à se prélasser au soleil, elles ont un caractère très enjoué. En fonction de leur genre, ces animaux pèsent entre 90 et 270 kg.
L’iguane terrestre de Santa Fe
Ce lézard passe son temps à se camoufler dans son habitat naturel de l’île de Santa Fe. De corpulence trapue, il peut peser jusqu’à 90 kg ! Si ces créatures se fondent facilement dans leur environnement, elles arborent généralement une robe jaune.
Le manchot des Galápagos
Le manchot des Galápagos est une espèce tout à fait singulière. C’est la seule espèce de manchot qui vit au nord de l’équateur. Cette espèce endémique s’épanouit dans les tropiques et vit aux côtés des touristes qui explorent la côte et les terres intérieures.
La Frégate du Pacifique
La frégate du Pacifique se distingue par son énorme poche rouge sous la gorge. Le plus souvent, les individus gardent le même compagnon durant toute leur vie. Ces énigmatiques oiseaux marins parcourent souvent de longues distances dans les Galápagos.
L’otarie à fourrure des Galápagos
L’otarie à fourrure des Galápagos ne donne naissance qu’à un seul petit à la fois. De nature sociale, ces petites otaries ont vu leur population diminuer régulièrement au cours des dernières années. Bien qu’elles passent environ 30 % de leur temps sur la côte, les otaries à fourrure préfèrent nicher dans des zones partiellement ombragées.
L’iguane terrestre
Ces imposants reptiles peuvent vivre jusqu’à 60 ans et atteindre 90 centimètres de long. Du fait de leur taille, ces lézards se prélassent et voyagent le plus souvent en petits groupes. De façon générale, cette espèce préfère résider sur les basses-terres sèches de certaines îles.
La tortue géante des Galápagos
La tortue géante des Galápagos est une espèce menacée qui vit facilement plus de 100 ans. En raison de leur longévité et de la menace d’extinction qui les frappe, ces animaux comptent parmi les attractions les plus populaires dans les îles Galápagos.
Galápagos Islands Animals: What are the ‘Big 15’?
Les cormorans aptères sont de petits oiseaux étranges. C'est la seule espèce de cormorans qui ne peut pas voler. En raison de leur héritage intéressant, les rituels d'accouplement des cormorans sont uniques et comprennent généralement une période pendant laquelle les femelles se battent pour attirer l'attention des mâles.
2. Red-Footed Booby
The red-footed booby is much less common than its blue-footed and Nazca relatives. Agile and far-ranging, these birds can travel up to 90 miles in search of food, diving with speed and precision to catch fish.
Red-footed boobies are best spotted on Genovesa Island, a remote island often referred to as ‘bird island’ and San Cristóbal Island. They nest in shrubs and low trees, and you can see them year-round as they breed, depending on food availability. Look for their distinctive red feet and a pale blue beak, often perched in trees or circling above coastal cliffs.
Interesting fact:
This is the only booby species in the Galápagos that nests in trees rather than on the ground.
3. Galápagos Hawk
The Galápagos hawk is the top avian predator in the islands, preying on smaller birds, lizards, and young turtles. These formidable birds are dark in colour with broad wings and a powerful build. Endemic to the Galápagos, the species has a very limited global population, making sightings all the more special.
You’re most likely to see Galápagos hawks on islands such as Isabela, Santiago, and Española, typically in open, arid terrain. You can spot them at any time of year. Keep a watchful eye for solitary birds perched on lava outcrops or circling slowly overhead.
Interesting fact:
They often hunt in groups, an unusual behaviour for birds of prey, allowing them to take down larger or more agile prey.
4. Marine Iguana
These colour-shifting creatures search for food both above and beneath the surface of the water. Algae is their primary food source, which they graze from rocks and reefs along the shoreline.
Endemic to the Galápagos, the species is the only iguana in the world that feeds in the ocean, diving below the surface and clinging to submerged rocks as waves surge overhead.
Marine iguanas are found all year across much of the archipelago, particularly on Fernandina Island and Española Island, where they gather in large groups, basking in the sun together to retain heat after cold ocean dives.
Interesting fact:
They expel excess salt by sneezing through specialised glands, often leaving a white crust around their noses.
5. American Flamingo
Because they feed on shrimp and other small crustaceans, these birds display some of the brightest colouring of any species in the Galápagos. Despite standing up to four feet tall, they remain surprisingly light, weighing around six pounds on average. They’re often seen balanced on one leg, which is thought to help conserve body heat.
The Galápagos Islands are home to a small population of American flamingos, which are most often found on Floreana, where shallow lagoons provide ideal feeding grounds. At any time of year, you can see groups wading through still, saline waters, sweeping their beaks from side to side to filter food.
Interesting fact:
Their pink colour comes from pigments in their diet. Without it, their feathers would fade to a much paler shade.
6. Waved Albatross
The waved albatross is one of the more elusive species in the Galápagos, found exclusively on Española Island. The largest bird in the region, it has a wingspan of up to eight feet and can weigh up to 11 pounds.
These graceful birds return to Española during the breeding season, typically between April and December. On open ground, pairs gather to perform their ritualised courtship, which includes bill clacking, bowing, and synchronised movements.
Interesting fact:
They spend much of their lives at sea and may travel thousands of miles, returning to the same partner and nesting site each year.
7. Blue-Footed Booby
Blue-footed boobies are among the most recognisable species in the Galápagos, with their iconic blue feet developing their colour as the bird reaches full maturity.
These distinctive birds are often found along the coastal areas of many islands, including Española and North Seymour. Present throughout the year, they’re best observed during courtship, when males lift and display their bright feet in a dance to attract a mate.
Interesting fact:
The vividness of their feet signals health and fitness to potential mates: the brighter the blue, the more attractive the bird.
8. Nazca Booby
The Nazca booby is not unique to the Galápagos, but it’s one of the most striking seabirds found across the islands. With crisp white plumage, black-edged wings, and a distinctive orange beak, it’s also the largest of the booby species here.
These birds are frequently found on Española and Genovesa, nesting along coastal cliffs. Active throughout the year, they’re often seen gliding above the shoreline or gathered in loose colonies on the ground.
Interesting fact:
Chick siblings compete intensely for survival, with only the strongest typically making it to adulthood.
9. Galápagos Sea Lion
You’re likely to encounter Galápagos sea lions almost everywhere you go in the islands, particularly around Santiago and Santa Fe. While they spend much of their time stretched out on sandy beaches and rocky shores, their playful nature becomes clear the moment they slip into the water.
Present throughout the year, they’re often seen lounging in the sun or weaving through the water around snorkellers.
Interesting fact:
Pups are known for their curiosity and will often approach swimmers, darting and turning with surprising agility.
10. Santa Fe Land Iguana
The Santa Fe land iguana blends seamlessly into its surroundings, its colouring echoing the dry, cactus-covered landscape of the island. Stocky and slow-moving, it’s well adapted to this arid environment.
Despite their solid build, these iguanas are far lighter than they appear, typically weighing up to 25 pounds. Their pale yellow to sandy tones helps them disappear against sun-bleached rock and dust. They are found only on Santa Fe Island, where they roam dry scrubland and cactus forests.
Interesting fact:
Endemic to Santa Fe Island in Galápagos, this species exists nowhere else on Earth.
11. Galápagos Penguin
The Galápagos penguin is a rare and unique species; the only penguin found north of the Equator. Despite the tropical setting, it thrives in the cooler waters created by ocean currents flowing through the islands.
Small and agile, these penguins spend much of their time in the water. Present throughout the year, they are most often encountered on Fernandina Island and the western coast of Isabela Island, where cooler currents provide ideal conditions.
Interesting fact:
To cope with the heat, they pant like dogs and hold their flippers out to release excess body heat.
12. Frigatebird
The Galápagos Islands are home to both magnificent and great frigatebirds. These birds are easily recognisable, particularly during breeding season, when males inflate a striking red pouch beneath their throat. This vivid display is used to attract a mate and is one of the most memorable sights in the Galápagos. They spend long periods soaring above the islands, rarely landing on the water and travelling vast distances in search of food.
Frigatebirds are often seen across the archipelago. North Seymour has large nesting colonies of magnificent frigatebirds, while Genovesa is a key site for great frigatebirds. Year-round, they're spotted gliding overhead or gathered in nesting sites among low trees and shrubs.
Interesting fact:
They’re known as ‘pirate birds’, often stealing food from other seabirds mid-flight rather than catching it themselves.
13. Galápagos Fur Seal
Galápagos fur seals are among the smaller and more elusive marine mammals in the islands. They give birth to just a single pup, and unlike sea lions, they favour shaded areas like rocky coves where they can stay cool.
Throughout the year, they’re most commonly found on Santiago and Fernandina, hauled up on shaded lava formations.
Interesting fact:
They are mostly nocturnal hunters, heading out at night to feed when cooler conditions make it easier to conserve energy.
14. Land Iguana
These large reptiles can live for up to 60 years, growing to more than three feet in length. They’re often seen basking in small groups, absorbing heat from the ground. They prefer dry lowland areas with sparse vegetation and open terrain.
Land Iguanas are most often found on Santiago and North Seymour. Scan for them resting in the sun or moving deliberately between patches of shade and vegetation.
Interesting fact:
They feed largely on cactus, using their tough mouths to handle spines and pads that most animals avoid.
15. Galápagos Giant Tortoise
The Galápagos giant tortoise is one of the most iconic species in the islands, known for its impressive lifespan; they often live well over 100 years. Once heavily threatened, conservation efforts have helped protect their populations, and they remain one of the most sought-after wildlife encounters in the Galápagos.
They are most often found on Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal, particularly in the highlands where cooler, greener conditions support their diet.
Interesting fact:
These are the largest tortoises in the world, with some weighing up to 650 pounds.
