Volcanoes erupting on the seabed formed the Galapagos Islands. They are far from any other land mass and were free of outside influences for millions of years. As a result there are life forms there that exist nowhere else. One theory is that the birds flew there and that the other animals were carried to the islands on driftwood. Galapagos is an old Spanish word for the big land tortoises found only in these islands. These turtles are typical of the seemingly prehistoric creatures that inhabit the place. The marine iguana feeds on a species of seaweed that grows only there, so it is unique in the world. Although formidable in appearance the creatures of the Galapagos neither fear not attack man. Although they are located on the equator the Galapagos are bathed by cold sea currents. Fresh water is scarce, and the soil is rocky with little vegetation. There is a lot of volcanic activity on the islands.
The Galapagos Islands are the most incredible living museum of evolutionary changes, with a huge variety of exotic species (birds, land animals, plants) and landscapes not seen anywhere else.
ReplyDelete