Wildlife

Nazca booby.
Gull of the Galapagos.
Whale shark. [Edit] Vegetation and flora
The land and underwater vegetation is sparse. On the exposed surfaces of the island and islets mainly grow microalgae, lichens and mosses. Only a few patches of grass and a fern creeping higher up the vegetation. Under water and intertidal areas around the island grow some seaweed. The droppings produced by the thousands of seabirds to the system are the main source of nutrients for vegetation.


Fauna

Malpelo has four endemic species: the land crab (Gecarcinus malpilensis), Malpelo lizard (Anolis agassizi), the dotted lizard (Diploglossus millepunctatus) and gecko (Phyllodactylus transversalis).

In Malpelo, is the colony of nesting seabirds Colombia's largest, with a total population of around 80,000 people. Have been reported about 60 species of birds such as the Nazca booby (Sula granti), the masked booby, the red-footed booby, the common buzzards and black, the snow-white tern (Laughing Gull), the frigate frigate bird (Fregata magnificens) and the gull in the Galapagos (Swallow-tailed Gull).

As for marine life found 17 species of coral, some 130 of molluscs, crustaceans 267 fish and 395, among which stand out Acanthemblemania stephensi, Chriolepsis lepidotus, Halichoeres Axoclinus rubifoni malpelo and, being endemic.

You can see large concentrations of sharks, including hammerheads (Great hammerhead) and whale (Whale shark) and a group of sharks from the depths (Odontaspis ferox). Also found starfish, reef fish and coral rock, and marine mammals.