Darwin's trail: Take a trip to the exotic Galapagos Islands

RARE AND EXOTIC SPECIES

Region: Galapagos

A trip to the Galapagos Islands will be one of discovery. Located 1,000 km from the Ecuadorian mainland, the archipelago consists of 13 major islands, five of which are inhabited. The island’s interesting volcanic geology, as well as its rich flora and fauna have been admired and studied by numerous travellers, scientists, and nature-lovers. Scientists are still faced with the mystery of how such a large diversity of species could develop in a remote location like the Galapagos Islands.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE ISLANDS:

The Islands are home to the only remaining Giant Pinta tortoise on earth.

-The islands are home to the 30 centimeter scolopendra centipede that feeds on rats and lizards. It is one of the rarest animals on earth and a sight to behold.

-The island is home to more than 800 species of mollusks including snails, octopuses, cuttlefish, oysters and squids. It is therefore one of the best places on earth to eat delicious sea food.

-There is an island in the Galapagos called Nameless Island and it is used mostly for scuba diving.

-Charles Darwinfs visit to the Galapagos Islands had a resounding impact on the formation of his Theory of Natural Selection.

-Another famous inhabitant of the Galapagos is the blue-footed booby. These adorable birds with the distinctive blue feet grow from 2.5 to 3 feet and have a wingspan of about 5 feet. Their courtship dance is quite a sight to behold as they prance about, bow, raise their heads up to the sky and spread their wings.

-The marine iguanas found on the island are the only known lizards that can swim. Scientists believe that land-dwelling iguanas from South America drifted out to sea millions of years ago on debris such as logs and eventually ended up in the Galapagos.

WOW Factor:

The convergence of four ocean currents including Equatorial, Cromwell, Humboldt, and Panama has resulted in the unpredictability of the climate of the Islands.