The Galapagos Islands
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The Galapagos Islands are a chain of tropical islands that are right on the equator, 800 miles off the west coast of Ecuador in South America. Charles Darwin, the famous English biologist, arrived in Galapagos in 1835, on the HMS Beagle. Darwin noticed that many varieties of mammals and reptiles had never been seen anywhere else or were endemic. As he traveled from island to island, Darwin noticed that the tortoises on each island had different shells that allowed them to survive in slightly different environments. He also noticed that there were fourteen different species of finches. Darwin developed the theory of evolution based on his observations of the strange creatures of the Galapagos Islands and their differences in different habitats. The theory of evolution explains the origins and evolution of life on earth.
The main islands of the Galapagos are named Fernandina, Santiago, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Floreana, and Espanola. The animals on the Galapagos Islands have evolved into some of the weirdest creatures in the world. Many of the species are threatened. For example, there is a male tortoise that people believe is the only one left of his species. Biologists are trying to find a female to be its mate. Learn about fascinating plants and animals of Galapagos.