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The distinctive and varied flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands are well-known. Even with their widespread popularity, the islands conceal a few little-known gems that you can discover should you be lucky enough to go on an expedition cruise around them. Discover the Galapagos Islands’ hidden treasures that nobody tells you about.
4 Secrets of the Galapagos
The distance between the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador’s coast is roughly 600 miles. The islands’ distinct ecosystems result from the convergence of multiple ocean currents, some of which are warm and some cold. The numerous plants and animals that have migrated there over the last 4 million years have diverged into new species due to their isolation from mainland relatives.
The unusual and fascinating creatures that call that place home are the vast tortoises, flightless cormorants, tiny penguins, and swimming iguanas. The islands of the Galapagos have dual names—one in Spanish and one in English—and are steeped in both Spanish and English traditions. However, even with all the tourists coming here each year, the Galapagos Islands contain some secrets.
1. Charles Darwin Rode the Giant Tortoises
The enormous tortoises, indigenous to seven of the Galapagos Islands, can weigh up to 900 pounds. In the wild, they can live up to 100 years; in captivity, they have been known to live up to 170 years. There were roughly 250,000 of these long-lived vertebrates on the islands in the sixteenth century. Due to conservation and breeding efforts, their numbers have increased to 19,000 from approximately 3,000 in the early 1970s. Several subspecies can be found on several islands. Saddleback, intermediate, and domed shells are the three primary forms of shells. The enormous tortoises were called Galapagos, which translates to “saddle” in Spanish.
2. Some Finches Are Vampires – Secrets of the Galapagos you don’t know
One of the cornerstones of Darwin’s theory of natural selection is the tiny Galapagos bird. Throughout a little amount of time, the finches developed various beak forms in response to the food that was available. A particular species that inhabits the Darwin and Wolf Islands actually feeds on the blood of two different species of boobies.
They had to look for other possibilities on their islands when they ran out of food due to their seclusion. The Nazca and blue-footed boobies appeared to be good candidates for some blood for protein. We’ll never know if the boobies protested at first, but they don’t appear to care now. The boobies simply let the vampire finches to continue their bloody pecking at a tiny hole.
3. There Are More Than 400 Species of Fish
Divers and snorkelers can witness various marine life, including vividly colorful fish, in the seas off the coast of the Galapagos Islands. Fifty of the enormous number of species are endemic to the islands, meaning they are unique to this part of the world and are only found in the vicinity of the Galapagos.
4. How the Islands Were Formed
Since the 19 main islands were formed at various times, each one is distinct. Over a heated mantle plume, the oceanic plate NAZCA moves. When a volcano erupts, it rises toward the sea’s surface, finally becomes subterranean, and is then regarded as an island.
However, new volcanoes are emerging as the NAZCA plate continues to move towards South America, rupturing the crust. As a result, the islands in the east are the oldest and most degraded, whereas the islands in the west are the younger.
Every island in the Galapagos has a distinct population, topography, and form. Being so young, Fernandina Island is a black basaltic mountain with a tall, single, enormous volcano. Isabela, its neighbor, comprises six shield volcanoes with smooth slopes and flat summits.
The six volcanoes function as independent islands for certain species due to the extensive lava fields that divide them. The low-lying eastern islands are frequently made up of numerous separate little peaks, sometimes called parasitic cones.
There are various methods to travel to the Galapagos, but one of its best-kept secrets is that an adventure ship is the finest option. Every ship has a doctor who provides free consultations and is commanded by trained naval officers and personnel. The tour guides have naturalist training and are fluent in English. Enjoy a spacious stateroom, top-notch cuisine, kid-friendly entertainment, and island-based guided tours. An adventure cruise travels mostly at night, while an island tour may have you moving between islands for hours. When you arrive, you will be the only ship on an island, allowing you to explore the area’s various attractions on foot.
