Galapagos Islands information

Every island in the Galapagos is different one from the other and all this is due to how they were formed. If the 4,600 million years of Earth´s history will be simulated in 24 hours, the Galapagos Islands had been formed in the last two minutes of that day. The 19 islands and 219 islets were created by successive volcanic eruptions over a hot spot located on the seafloor of the Nazca Plate. The first of them emerged in the middle of the Pacific Ocean about 5 million years ago. The islands are settled on the Nazca Plate and move about 5 centimeters a year eastward. That is why the oldest islands of the archipelago are far about 200 kilometers east from the youngest islands that are still above the hot spot.

Explore the Enchanted Islands

1) Isabela Island. 2) North Seymour Island. 3) South Plaza Island. 4) Santa Fe Island. 5) Santa cruz Island. 6) Bartolome Island. 7) Mosquera Island. 8) Santiago Island. 9) Rabida Island. 10) Floreana Island. 11) Genovesa Island. 12) Española Island. 13) San Cristobal Island. 14) Fernandina Island.

Galapagos Green Sea Turtle - Reptiles | Galapagos Islands Animals

The Galapagos green turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizii) is the only sea turtle species that nests in the Galapagos Islands. These marine reptiles can grow up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length and weigh between 110–185 kg (240–410 lbs), making them one of the largest sea turtles.

Diet and Behavior:

Primarily herbivorous, they feed on seagrass and algae, though juveniles may also consume jellyfish and small invertebrates. They are strong swimmers, often seen gliding through the waters of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Unlike land turtles, they cannot retract their heads into their shells, relying on speed and agility to escape predators like sharks. They can hold their breath for up to two hours by slowing their heart rate to conserve oxygen.

Reproduction and Nesting:

Galapagos green turtles reach sexual maturity between 20 and 50 years old. Every 2–3 years, females return to their birthplace to lay 50 to 200 eggs in sandy nests. The incubation period lasts 45 to 70 days, and the hatchlings, only 5 cm (2 inches) long, instinctively race toward the ocean. The sand’s temperature determines their sex—warmer sand produces more females, while cooler sand results in more males.

Threats and Conservation:

These turtles are Endangered due to habitat loss, climate change, marine pollution, and accidental bycatch. They are protected under Ecuadorian law and international conservation agreements.

A true survivor from the age of dinosaurs, the Galapagos green turtle is a living link to Earth’s prehistoric past. Whether nesting on a secluded beach or swimming alongside snorkelers, they offer a breathtaking encounter with one of the ocean’s most ancient creatures.