Wildlife of the Galapagos

This is an excellent resource! Every plant, animal, and useful piece of information is included. There is even a section in the back for visitors listing flora/fauna on various islands with text and maps. Much thought went into this book. I was very impressed.

While preparing to go to the Galapagos Islands, I wasn't exactly sure which books to buy or how much studying to do...I just knew I wanted to have a solid handle on the animals I would be seeing and some of the history, topography, etc of the islands. I bought two books that both got high reviews, this one and Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galapagos, but after reviewing both when they arrived only kept this one. Not only did it have beautiful pictures, it also was well-organized and gave me enough information to be able to converse with my guides intelligently and have a pretty good idea of what I was seeing. It really had the perfect amount of information. The other book is not for the faint of heart or casual reader. If you are interested in really delving into the nitty gritty science of the species and topography, then the other book will be great, but for the rest of us, this one will not disappoint.

Anybody planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands needs to have this book in their pocket while on the islands. The photographs of plants and animals alike are as realistic as you will see on the islands and such reality will allow one to easily identify the wealth of species you will encounter. Descriptions of individual species include a listing of which island(s) the plant or animal is typically found. Added features in this book include maps of the islands with trails and listings of what to look for; tips on photography; and guidelines for respecting the national park and being a responsible visitor to the islands.

If you plan to visit the Galapagos Islands, this is the book to bring with you. This field guide covered all of the major highlights of the Galapagos (animals, plants, geology...) as well as give detail about everything you could possibly find on these islands. The entire book is printed on stury, glossy paper, with bright colorful pictures. Overall this is a must have if you plan to go to the Galapagos. When I went I brought the book with me everywhere. It was small enough to fit in a big side pocket or a small bag. Everything about this book is just logical; the size, the order, and even the type of paper it is printed on. The only other thing you need after getting this book is a mechanical pencil & a geology field notebook (waterproof) - along with a ziplock bag for your field guide & camera (this is for when you go on the pangas).

This book is well organised, well written and beautifully illustrated. Written by people who truly know the Galapagos Islands and all that exists there, including landings and information on what one can expect to see on arrival at any one island. I actually used three other guides whilst in the Galapago this month and only accessed this one at the end of my trip. I have continued to read this book since arriving home and highly recommend it.