Words to be used in the Galapagos

Caldera

A crater. Galapagos is full of them, including Sierra Negra which is the second largest in the world.

Endemic/endemicity

Animal species that can only be found in one specific location or region in the world. Galapagos is quite the place for endemism, with marine iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, Pink Land Iguanas, Galapagos Penguins, fur seals, sea lions, and of course, the Giant Tortoises, the largest in the world (among others).

Gigantism

And talking about large, the Galapagos, like many island ecosystems, is a focal point for animals that are larger than usual, including enormous cacti, mangroves, tortoises, and iguanas.

Adaptive radiaton

The official terminology that describes the evolutionary pattern of much of Galapagos Island wildlife… meaning that species in the Galapagos have radiated from island to island through adaptation and change.

Panga

The coolest word on this list, this is how you say Zodiac in cruise lingo, meaning the little motorized boats that take you from the cruise ship to the island (and sometimes for a ride along the shore if disembarking on the island is not possible).

Feeding frenzy

A term to describe when the animals go absolutely crazy about meal time. It is quite likely you'll come across a feeding frenzy during your holiday cruise, be it Blue-footed Boobies or Shearwaters at sea, perhaps dolphins, fish or crabs, they can be quite impressive spectacles.

Footprint

The "Galapagos" meaning of this word refers to human presence on these fragile ecosystems and the plight to reduce the impact of this presence through awareness and good practices.

Tintoreras

Sharks… although you may think "tiburón" is how one says shark in Spanish, tintoreras ("tinted ones") refer to the common White-tipped Sharks you may even have a chance to swim with during your Galapagos trip.

Pioneers

This doesn't refer to holiday tourists, but to the first plants that actually settle on the dried up lava crevices of the younger islands.

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