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The animals of Ecuador stand out admid the rolling hills, regal volcanoes, lush jungle, and exotic Galapagos Islands. Thousands of species of birds, ancient giant turtles, lumbering sloths, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, and spectacled bears call the country home. In each of the country's four regions there are pristine reserves where wildlife takes center stage. Take a look at five animals spotteed in the wild while traveling in Ecuador.
One fun activity that travellers who visit the Galapagos can do is swim or snorkel with penguins. The Galapagos penguin is one of the smallest in the world, and the only of its species found north of the equator. Each year with the changing of the currents, these swift moving creatures migrate to different parts of the islands-staying near to year-round cool waters. Isabela Island, is one of the best places to see Galapagos penguins year round. Keep reading for some fun facts about penguins in the Galapagos, and some of the places where you can find them while in the islands.
One of the thrills of taking a Galapagos cruise is found in transit-seeing whales breach the sea in incredible displays of aerobatics. The Galapagos Marine Reserve plays host to a variety of baleen and toothed whales including blue whales, sperm whales, humpback whales, orcas, and whale sharks. Some come to feed during the guara season between July and December; others are in residence year round-and all make an impression when spotted off the bow of a boat. Keep reading for four whales that call the Galapagos waters home.
Galapagos Marine Iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos Islands, having the ability to sustain themselves on land and in the sea. The reptile is found in many places in the archipelago; with colonies at the end of Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz, Fernandina and Isabela Islands. Keep reading for interesting facts about the creatures that Darwin described as “Imps of Darkness.”
Alpacas roam the slopes of the Cotacachi Volcano. They belong to the indigenous community of Morochos. José Flores, vice-president of the community, says the alpacas are the best friends of the highland moors (páramos). He explains the animals don't affect the topsoil because their legs have pads and their teeth cut the grass like scissors. That's…
Ecuador’s cloud forest boasts over 550 of the 1,660 estimated species of birds found in the country. The region is part of the Chocó bioregion, which spans from Panama to Northern Ecuador. Within the borders of the cloud forest, brightly-colored birds appear around ever bend of the trail. Keep reading for eight birds of the cloud forest that you can find on custom-made tours in Ecuador.
The Galapagos Marine Reserve forms one point of the Hammerhead Triangle-an area stretching from the Cocos Islands off of Costa Rica to Melpelo Island near Chile. The region is a sought after diving destination visited by avid shark fans from across the globe. The Galapagos Islands themselves have the highest concentration of sharks in the world; including white and black-tipped reef sharks, tiger sharks, and Galapagos Sharks. Keep reading for more details about three swift-moving creatures that you can see during a Galapagos dive vacation.
