The list of Galapagos land mammals is short compared to other types of native species. This is probably because land mammals had difficulties in reaching and establishing populations on such a distant archipelago.
In the past the list has been longer, but unfortunately the mammals introduced by humans have competed successfully for food and habitats. The introduction of invasive rat species has had a particular impact across the spectrum of Galapagos ecosystems. Other introduced species are predatory. The combined effects of these pressures means that very few species were still in existence when the CDF was founded in 1959.
Eradication and control programs are underway, supported by the CDF and the Galapagos National Park Service, to remove invasive species. These complement restoration and conservation projects to preserve the remaining native land mammals of Galapagos.
CDF Fact sheets on Galapagos native and endemic land mammals