Galapagos Islands Natural History
Galapagos Islands Natural history is really all about the natural history of these amazing islands. There is really no other Galapagos Islands natural history other than that of the evolution of nature and of the islands themselves. The islands of the Galapagos are Oceanic Islands, not continental islands. That makes all the difference in the world when it comes to the varieties of species found here. Continental islands were once part of the mainland, and will therefore have species from the mainland on them. Oceanic islands, like the Galapagos, were never physically part of the continent so the flora and fauna found here are from any of the following three sources:
- the wind carried seeds
- they floated here across the ocean
- plants or animals were carred here by other organisms, either by birds or marine species
The Galapagos Islands were underwater volcanoes once, and with time rose to the surface of the sea and became islands. Any species that exist on volcanic islands were brought here by those methods mentioned above, and have adapted and thrived over the years. It's this procoess of adapting that was first noticed by Charles Darwin. Here in the Galapagos Islands, evolution was brought to the attention of the world and its scientists. Because of the amazing variety of endemic species here, scientists still come by the thousands every year to study them.
Types of Species on the Galapagos Islands
The types of animal species found here are a living testament to the specialness of Galapagos Islands natural history. There are hardly any insects here, other than butterflies and beetles. There are hardly any mammals at all, other than those brought intentionally by farmers over the years. Actually, small animals introduced by settlers in Galapagos Islands natural history are now a nuiscance and threaten the livelihood of endemic species. Park rangers are now involved in programs to eradicate the Galapagos Islands of introduced species.Animals that float have much better chances of having made it to the Galapagos Islands. Take turtles, for example. They float exceptionally well because of the air pocket found under their shells. Therefore, the turtles are well represented here on the chain of islands. Logs float well, and floating palm trees have made their way to the Galapagos Islands from the mainland. This is why we have beetles! Lots of logs float down from Panama at quite a surprising speed. The floating logs with their tranported species can reach the Galapagos Islands in just two weeks. Boa constrictors came to the islands this way too! Sea lions, which make use of currents and float very well, have found their way to the Galapagos and settled very nicely. They came all the way from California and the Antarctic in large groups.
Migrating birds carry seeds in their bellies, playing their own role in Galapagos Islands natural history. They come from coastal areas like Peru and Ecuador. Their feathers also carry seeds. Birds have accounted for an estimated 60 percent of over 600 species of plants in the Galapagos Islands. About a third of the plants were brought here by the wind, and the rest carried by the ocean.
