Mammals of the Galapagos Islands
Since the Galapagos Islands are Oceanic Islnads, never having been connected to the mainland, it was difficult for land animals, mammals, to arrive here. Therefore, there are not many native mammals on the Galapagos Islands. There are introduced mammals such as dogs, cats, rats and pigs, but they were brought here by humans, and actually pose serious dangers to native species of the Galapagos Islands. The only native mammals are sea lions, some bats, and some rats. Every other mammal was brought here by humans.
Sea Lions
Of course Sea Lions Zalophus californianus are the most famous mammal of hte Galapgos Islands. They are related to the sea lions you see everywhere in California but smaller. They are everywhere on the Galapagos Islands, hanging out on the lava rocks on the shoreline, basking in the sun, acting territorial (males) or tending their young (females). Males are polygamous but the females can switch partners any time they like. They are free to go! The males have a hump on the forehead, and this is how you tell the males from the females, apart from their larger size. They mate in the water but give birth on land. Mother and child know each other by smell and by crying to each other. The mother stays with her baby only up to one week, then goes back into the water.
Galapagos Sea Lions eat mostly sardines, and they might dive down 100 or 150 feet to get them. They feed during the day. They love to surf big waves and they love to bat around marine iguanas in the water like a ball. While in the water, they have to watch out for sharks and orcas. Since 1970 the Sea Lions have suffered from seal pox, which is a virus which has killed off half the sea lion population. They get infected eyes and warts all over.
Fur Sea Lions
Fur Sea Lions Arctocephalus galapagoensis are commonly mistaken for fur seals. This subspecies of fur sea lion is endemic to the Galapagos Islands, coming here on the Humboldt Current from South America. The Fur Sea Lions were hunted almost to extinction in the early 1900s, by whalers who wanted them for their skins. Today there are about 30,000 to 40,000 Fur Sea Lions on the Galapagos Islands.
Fur Sea Lions are different from the Sea Lions mentioned above by their feeding habits (the feed at night, whereas the Sea Lions feed during the day). They eat squid and small fish and also dive, but not quite as deep as the Sea Lions. The Fur Sea Lions are smaller and have pointed noses and big round eyes. They lie under rocks and in cracks in the lava, for the shade.
The Galapagos Rice Bats
Galapagos Roce Bats Oryzomys are endemic to the Galapagos Islands. They come from the Americas originally. They are not at all afraid of humans. They live in nests under the rocks in dry areas of the islands. There are seven species on the islands. Black rats, brought here by pirates, have been killing off the Galapagos Rice Rats. Natural enemies are owls and hawks.
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