All together there are 27
different species of reptiles that can be found in the
Galapagos. The following is a brief look 3 groups of them:
the Galapagos iguana, the Galapagos tortoise, and the
Galapagos turtles.
Reptiles of Galapagos- Iguanas
Two very different types of iguana can be found in the
Galapagos: the Galapagos land iguana, and the Galapagos
marine iguana.
Galapagos Land Iguana
Although Galapagos land iguana are found in plentiful
numbers, you'll need to visit either Santa Cruz, Plazza,
Isabela, Fernandina or Santa Fe islands if you want to
see them. A visit to any of the aforementioned four islands
will allow you the chance to see the Conolphus Subscristatus
Galapagos land iguana, which has a yellow-orange complexion
and spends most of its time feeding on the cactus in abundance.
A visit to Santa Fe, on the other hand, will bring you
in contact with the Conolphus Pallidus Galapagos land
iguana, which has a brown and whitish complexion. Again
though, this Galapagos iguana will spend most of its time
feeding on the fauna and fruits found in abundance around
the island.
As an added bonus, Galapagos land iguana are seen as being
some of the most tame iguana in the world, which is why
most Galapagos tours provide you with the perfect opportunity
to visit with them.
Galapagos Marine Iguana
The Galapagos marine iguana is one of the most unusual
forms of marine mammal life found anywhere in the world
- and should be included as a "must do" on any Galapagos
tour.
In short, the Galapagos marine iguana is the only known
iguana in the world that will purposely go into the ocean.
Once in the water, the Galapagos marine iguana uses its
specially adapted tail to dive at least fifteen meters
below sea-level, where it will stay and eat the seaweed
for anything up to thirty minutes before resurfacing.
Galapagos Tortoise
A tour to the Galapagos Islands will provide you with
one of only two known chances to see the Giant Tortoise
- the Galapagos Giant Tortoise. Originally, 14 different
subspecies of the Galapagos tortoise could be found on
the islands. Sadly, however, today only 11 of those species
remain in existence. In order to try and preserve the
number of Galapagos tortoise, the Charles Darwin Research
Station (part of the Charles Darwin Foundation) has instigated
a conservation scheme aimed ay increase the number of
Galapagos tortoise.
Visitors to the Galapagos Islands should keep in mind
that name of the very islands themselves (Galapagos) are
derived from the saddleback tortoise - Galapagos, as a
translation, means saddleback! So, the Galapagos tortoise
could rightful claim itself to be the symbol of the islands.
Galapagos Turtles
The Pacific green turtle nest in the Galapagos all year
round. However, this particular Galapagos turtle mates
during the months of December and January, and so this
is generally thought to be the best time of year to visit
is you want to include Galapagos turtles in you Galapagos
islands tour. No visit to see the Galapagos turtles is
complete, however, without a brief tour of the Charles
Darwin Foundation, where lots of very useful research
is being conducted on the turtles; and, in particular,
why it is that they seem to favour Florin beach as their
favourite nesting beach.
