Gives Description about the different endangered animal species found at Galapagos Islands. Galapagos has variety of animals but many of such species are threatened to extinction. All such beautiful animals need to be conserved. Also describes some of the facts about these endangered animal species.

1. Endangered Species of Galapagos
Galapagos is the group of islands located at around 800 miles from Ecuador, South
America. The islands are known for its natural beauty, biodiversity and the Giant
Galapagos tortoises -The biggest growing tortoises in the world. These islands has
many endangered animal species which need to be conserved, some of such species are:
Sharks:
There are 27 species of Sharks at Galapagos;
sharks are among the largest animals that found
at Galapagos. There are three main groups of
sharks: The first species is the Whale Shark,
which has a white spotted pattern and is the
largest fish in the world. Although they are rare
in the Galapagos, if one is found, it would be
located mainly in open water. The second type
of shark is the Hammerhead Shark, which is
silver, grey and brown, with a white underside.
The Galapagos Islands is one of the few remaining places where one can observe its
strangely shaped head that is flattened and has the eyes on the outer edges. The final
group, the pointy nosed sharks, includes the Galapagos shark, Silky sharks, white
tipped sharks, black tipped sharks, and the reef sharks. These types of sharks have
rounded snouts and are the most commonly found throughout the Galapagos.
Waved Albatross:
It is the largest bird found in the Galapagos, the Waved Albatross, has difficulties
initially becoming airborne. They are named for the wavelike markings on its neck, and
the Waved Albatross is the only species of albatross which breeds in the tropics—all
others are found much farther south. When in flight, its 2.35 meter wingspan allows it
to be an extraordinary flyer; however the Waved Albatross must use a complicated
combination of their web feet, the waves, and the wind in order to gain altitude.
Giant Tortoise from Pinta Island:
It is among the most famous of the Galapagos Islands endangered species, although
there were eleven species of the giant tortoise, the only surviving Pinta tortoise was
named Lonesome George who is no more.

2. The Pinta tortoise has a saddle back shell that is raised in order to assist the tortoise’s
eating habits. Additionally, this species is considered to be one of the smaller tortoises
found on the islands. Lonesome George was supposedly between 100 and 120 years
old and when he died his specific ended with him. Although scientists were constantly
trying to assist in the breeding process by housing him with two other females at the
research centre, the fact that he grew up alone caused his breeding skills to be
extraordinarily limited.
Galapagos Land Iguana:
There are two species of land iguana found in the Galapagos Islands. Conolophus
subcristatus are found in six islands, and Conolophus pallidus is found only on the
island of Santa Fe. They are large (more than 3 feet long), yellowish animals, with
males weighing up to 30 pounds. Galapagos land iguanas are thought to have had a
common ancestor who floated out to the islands from the South American mainland on
rafts of vegetation.
Land iguanas live in the drier areas of the islands and
in the mornings are found sprawled beneath the hot
equatorial sun. However, to escape the intense heat of
midday, they seek the shade of cactus, rocks, trees, or
other vegetation. At night they sleep in burrows dug
in the ground, to conserve their body heat. The land
iguanas show a fascinating interaction with Darwin’s
finches, raising themselves off the ground and
allowing the little birds to remove ticks. They feed
mainly on low-growing plants and shrubs, such as the
Spiny opuntia cacti, as well as fallen fruits and cactus pads. These succulent plants
provide them with the moisture they require during long, dry periods.
Galapagos Penguin:
Galapagos is the only home of world’s true
tropical penguin. All the penguin cannot fly and
most live in the south hemisphere and cold sub
Antarctic waters, except for the one-of-a-kind
Galapagos penguin. A probable descendant from
the cold-loving Humboldt penguin, the Galapagos
penguin has overcome some of the many
characteristics that make other penguins so well-
adapted to their frigid surroundings. To avoid
overheating from their incredible insulation, they
have evolved the shortest feathers of all penguins
and can endure warm waters reaching 82°F. In an
effort to protect their eggs from the intense heat of
the sun, they lay and incubate their eggs in shady
nooks.

3. Native Rice Rat:
Rats may be the most hardy and resilient of all mammals, and it is assumed that the
first rats to arrive in Galapagos travelled there by drifting on rafts of vegetation. It is
believed that seven species of rice rats were once native to the islands, but only small
numbers of four species remain today. Unfortunately, the more recently introduced
black rats have virtually wiped out the native rats, and it seems likely that competition
for resources and possibly a viral disease transmitted by black rats were important
factors in their demise. In fact, the Santiago rice rat was “rediscovered” in 1998; it was
believed to have been extinct. Endemic rice rats are rarely seen on Galapagos, but the
invasive species of black rats are often spotted in areas where humans inhabit.
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