150 Years After Darwin: The Galapagos Islands Are Still Unique.
Now, just after the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of his ‘Origin of the Species, ‘ why not take a special trip to the place that first impressed his work? Darwin first made a trip to the Galapagos Islands in 1835, while coming home from a research trip to South America.
He spent 5 weeks in the Galapagos studying the plants and animals, though it was the giant tortoises that truly fascinated him. It was then that he spotted that the tortoises had distinct traits, based primarily on what island they were from.
The tortoises are still in the Galapagos Islands, but they aren't the one thing you will want to see on your trip. The islands have many unique animals to view, including hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and sea lions.
The fact that the animals were so unique is what prompted Darwin to consider evolution. As an example, iguanas in different areas, though similar, had different modifications to fit into their environment. He also spotted 13 different species of finches, all with different beaks that had acclimatized to suit their wants.
You may still find not only the colourful finches, but also Frigate birds. These huge birds inflate a bright red pouch on their neck during breeding season, in the hopes of attracting a buddy. At the Charles Darwin Research Station, you will also spot Lonesome George, who is the last surviving tortoise on Pinta Island.
On Isabela Island, you can see active volcanoes, like the ones that formed the rest of the Galapagos. These volcanoes show the way the islands took shape over millions of years. They also worried Darwin at the time. The undeniable fact that the islands were recently formed meant that the animals there must have originally come from somewhere else, which conflicted with his Christian principles and what was recounted in Genesis.
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Austin Thomas is a staff writer for Quantum Internet Systems, Inc. which specializes in custom web design and does freelance writing for dental implants marietta.