ISLA GUADALUPE FAUNA

Extinct Guadalupe Caracara (Caracara lutosa)

"Seals weigh 6000 pounds. No value except as ornaments." Photo by Andrew R. Boone, 1928

Camp for flensing Elephant Seals on Guadalupe Island, 1928

Elephant Seals on Guadalupe Island, 1937

Elephant Seals on Guadalupe Island, 1975

No native land mammals, reptiles or amphibians are found on Isla Guadalupe.

Introduced mammals include:

• GOATS Goats arrived by 1856.
• MICE: ISLA GUADALUPE House Mouse arrived by 1875.
• CATS: ISLA GUADALUPE Cats arrived by 1885.
• DOGS: ISLA GUADALUPE Dogs (feral dogs on the northwest slope)
• BIRDS: ISLA GUADALUPE

Marine mammals at Guadalupe Island include:

• ELEPHANT SEALS
• GUADALUPE FUR SEALS
• CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS

Abalone species at Guadalupe Island include:

• Haliotis corrugata ownei

Type specimen taken by Buzz Owen, October 1965

• Haliotus fulgens guadalupensis
• Haliotis cracherodii californiensus

• » Abbott, C. G. 1933. Closing History of the Guadalupe Caracara in Condor 35:(10-14)

Wikipedia: Guadalupe Caracara

In the News~

August 7, 1872 [San Diego Union]: “Curious Bird— Captain Wilcox is the possessor of a curious bird. Its name may be known to ornithologists, but it is not familiar to bird fanciers in this region. The best description we have heard of it is that of an irrepressible cock-fighter, who says it is a cross between an eagle, hawk, and fighting cock. The non-descript hails from the Guadalupe Island.” [Guadalupe Caracara]