Galapagos Islands - Galapagos Iguana Habits, Threats, Survival, & Ecosystem Upsets Caused by Humans

Galapagos Islands - Galapagos Iguana Habits, Threats, Survival, & Ecosystem Upsets Caused by Humans

Galapagos iguanas are indigenous, as you might guess, to the Galapagos Islands. They are also ordinarily known as Galapagos land iguanas.  The islands are in the eastern measure of the Pacific Ocean off of the western coast of South America. The name translates into Islands of the Tortoises, and many population automatically associate tortoises with the Galapagos Islands.

The islands have a piquant history. They are connected with pirates, whalers, and seal hunters. There was even a prison colony on the island of Floreana in the 1800's. The islands are more famously known for the studies made by Charles Darwin in 1835. His studies of the geology and biology of these islands later would be part of the research he used to write "The Origin of Species."

Galapagos iguanas usually reach a distance of nearby 3 feet and a weight of about 25 pounds.  These reptiles are not to be confused with the Galapagos marine iguana. They are more colorful than marine iguanas and inhabit the drier areas of the islands. Their original food source is the Prickly Pear Cactus, which provides not only food for the iguana but water as well.

Galapagos iguanas sleep in burrows they dig in the ground. They enjoy basking in the sun in the early hours, shifting to shaded cooler areas as the day progresses and the temperature rises. They seem to have a "you scratch my back I'll scratch yours" type of relationship with island birds, particularly finches. They elevate themselves to allow these birds to remove ticks and parasites from their bodies, in turn providing food for the birds.

In the mid 1970's, wild dogs became a severe threat to Cartago and Conway Bay iguana colonies, which required intervention by the Cdrs (Charles Darwin research Station) and the Gnps (Galapagos National Park Service.) These organizations began efforts to restore the destroyed iguana population and eventually eliminated the wild dogs from these areas.

The Galapagos iguana is primarily herbivorous just like other iguanas. However, some of these iguanas are known to feed on insects and carrion if their diet requires supplementing. Iguanas in the wild will adapt to determined environmental conditions just like any other animal in order to survive, even if it means eating something they usually would not.  A land iguana is usually a brownish red color and has a yellowish orange belly.

Fresh water is very scarce on the islands where the Galapagos land iguana lives. These iguanas get most of their "water" from the prickly pear cactus. The Portulaca is another food source for the land iguanas when available. These iguanas will also drink from water pools created by rainfall when they are available.

Galapagos land iguanas are estimated to have a lifespan of fifty to sixty years. They are carefully mature in the middle of the ages of 8 to 15 years. After mating, the female land iguanas originate a burrow 18-20 inches deep in sandy areas and lay roughly 2-20 eggs, which hatch about 90 to 120 days later.

The largest threats to Galapagos iguanas are caused by humans. Introduced feral animals destroy egg nests and strike the native iguanas. Iguanas don't have developed skills for reacting to or protecting themselves from these predators because they are not native to the islands.

It is incredibly sad that some humans are thoughtless and unconcerned concerning how their actions threaten not only the immediate preservation of the Galapagos Islands and their native wildlife, but the preservation of the islands for the hereafter long after they are gone. No one in good conscience should want to leave that type of "footprint."  I no ifs ands or buts do not.

Most of the threats to the Galapagos Island native animals are human induced:  the introduction of non-native plants and animals; threats of disease from increasing poultry farming on the populated islands; illegal fishing activities; oil tanker spills; illegal immigration; high birth rates; and the tourism industry.

The Galapagos Islands should be preserved for the native animals.  Human tampering of the ecosystem threatens the life sustaining capabilities of the law itself. Eventually this negligent tinkering will pose a more serious threat not only to animals and plants, but humans and our whole planet as well, if it hasn't already.  eventually there will be nothing left if we don't stop destroying and start preserving.

Fortunately, with the help of organizations like the Gnps and the Cdrs, ongoing implementation of new controls and plans will hopefully minimize the effects of the tourism industry. With a prolonged increase rate of tourists, however, there will always be a need to adapt and modify a law of controls that will be prosperous in preventing ecological upsets and controlling environmental impact.

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Galapagos Islands - Galapagos Iguana Habits, Threats, Survival, & Ecosystem Upsets Caused by Humans

Darwins

Galapagos Islands - Galapagos Iguana Habits, Threats, Survival, & Ecosystem Upsets Caused by Humans

Galapagos Islands - Galapagos Iguana Habits, Threats, Survival, & Ecosystem Upsets Caused by Humans
Galapagos Islands - Galapagos Iguana Habits, Threats, Survival, & Ecosystem Upsets Caused by Humans

Darwins

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Darwin's Island Treasure - The Galapagos

Darwin's Island Treasure - The Galapagos

Darwin had minute idea of the huge influence the Galapagos islands were going to have on his career, and neither did he perceive just how relevant they would become following the publication of his seminal work in 1859. But let's pause for a moment and return to September 15th, 1835. Following a long voyage from Callao, Peru, Hms Beagle arrived at the archipelago with Charles Darwin on board, who was only 26 years old at the time. In spite of many reasoning he was the valid naturalist on board the ship, he did in fact have other responsibilities. He was a true deckhand and served as an assistant to Captain Robert Fitzroy. Naturally, his passion for nature and measurement to query the inexplicable led him to witness any place he visited in the most of detail and he set out to make as thorough an exploration of the Galapagos islands as possible.

It was exactly this degree of acute observation that Darwin employed upon his return to England when analyzing his collections from the voyage on the Beagle ship. Helped considerably by some very influential contacts in the scientific fraternity at that time who supported his work, Darwin was able to put to the world the evidence that would forever convert the reasoning of mankind.

He used to write normally in his diary whilst on board the Beagle. According to comments he makes on the Galapagos, it is clear that there were two main characteristics that easily struck him from the outset: both the impressive geology of the islands, and their unusual atmosphere in the context of the tropics. In later writings, he also notes the impact of animal life on the archipelago and his exploration of each personel island. Charles Darwin discovered the Galapagos from a unique angle, giving rise to the belief that the islands were as they were as a ensue of their improvement over time.

It is the historical and scientific significance of this observation, coupled with the natural attractiveness of the islands per se, that draws thousands of people to visit them year upon year. The unique contact of being able to mix with animals in the wild, and witness the manner in which they have adapted to the harsh volcanic surroundings of the islands, is what most visitors come in search of. From lizards, tortoises and penguins, to tropical fish, frigate birds and finches all made notable by Darwin, you'll find a range of living creatures practically unrivalled in any other part of the world.

An perfect way to take in the faultless diversity the Galapagos have to offer is by cruising between the dissimilar islands, taking time to hop off and ensue in Darwin's footsteps, relax on the beaches or snorkel among exotic maritime life. Travelers of all types will find something at the Galapagos. Whether it's scientific curiosity, the spirit of adventure and exploration, or the simple, relaxing sensation of finding yourself living at one with nature, you are sure to come away with an unforgettable holiday experience.

For a dependable tour operator able to make this trip of a lifetime become a reality, look no added than Escaped to Latin America.

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