Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos
The Galápagos is home to many different creatures, and I was elated to have the opportunity to travel here to study their many behaviors and tendencies.
Galápagos Giant Tortoises are the largest tortoises in the world. The males are significantly larger than the females, and they weigh about 500 pounds (male) and 250 pounds (female). Each island has a specific tortoise with a different shell shape. These beautiful creatures are capable of living up to 175 years (generally in captivity, but around 100-125 years in the wild). In fact, my group encountered a tortoise who was born around the time Darwin visited these islands in 1835 making him around 188 years old!
Above is a video of a tortoise roaming and feasting on vegetation.
Above is Darwin’s Ground Finch. There are many different types of finches throughout the Galápagos islands varying in beak size, shape, diet, and more. These finches are the basis of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution due to their visible and physiological differences.
Hundreds of pelicans and frigatebirds filled the air at Tortuga Bay. They feasted on the small fish in the water by diving at speeds up to 40 miles per hour (pelicans) and 95 miles per hour (frigatebirds).
Pelicans have a wingspan of over 6 feet across!
The Galápagos Mockingbird is endemic to these islands. Due to the increasing population of feral cats and rats, the mockingbirds (as well as many other species in the Galápagos) are in grave danger. However, these birds are fierce, protective, and territorial. They often scare away larger animals, including humans.