The Galapagos Islands are famous for the rich diversity of life found on their 120 volcanic islands, located directly on the Equator about 1000 km off the Pacific coast of South America.Naturalist Charles Darwin's monumental work On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection was based largely upon observations he made during a five-week stay in the Galapagos in 1835, while on the 5-year journey of exploration of the HMS Beagle. Elevations range from sea level to the 1,707-metre summit of Wolf Volcano, one of many extinct, dormant, and active volcanoes found throughout the 766,514 hectares of protected islands and 7,990,000 hectares of marine reserve within the Galapagos Archipelago.
Habitats include varied coastal vegetation, mangrove swamps in coves and lagoons, arid zones of cactus and other species, and moist upland forests and shrublands in the high-elevation fog belt. Wildlife includes 11 subspecies of the Galapagos giant tortoise, each on a different island; marine iguanas, which graze on rocks under the sea; Galapagos penguin, Galapagos flightless cormorant, Galapagos hawk, lava heron, and dozens of other bird species; and mammals including Galapagos fur seal, Galapagos sea lion, and two species of bats.
Most of the breeding land birds of the Galapagos Archipelago are endemic to the islands, as are one-third of the vascular land plants. With the exception of two marine tortoises, all the reptiles of the Galapagos are endemic as well, including marine iguanas, terrestrial iguanas, many lizards and geckos, and 11 subspecies of Galapagos giant tortoise. Green turtles and hawksbill turtles are common in the waters surrounding the islands, and the green turtles breed on sandy beaches.
Native mammals of the Galapagos are few, owing to the 1,000 km span of Pacific Ocean between these volcanic islands and the mainland. The six native species include Galapagos fur seal, Galapagos sea lion, two species of rice rat, and two species of bat.
It is possible, in some seasons, to arrange tours of the Galapagos upon your arrival in the islands. This is reportedly less expensive than advance bookings on the mainland.