What is unique about the Galápagos Islands?
Environmental conditions make the Galápagos a unique island ecosystem. The Galápagos Islands are located near the equator, yet they receive cool ocean currents. This makes for a strange mix of tropical and temperate climates. For most of their history, the islands have been extremely isolated.
Which organism was unique to the Galápagos Islands?
The marine iguana is perhaps one of the strangest creatures in the Galápagos. Unique among modern lizards, this creature can live on both land and in the sea, diving to depths of up to 30 feet.
Why do the Galápagos Islands have so many unique species?
The Galapagos Islands are home to a wide range of species ranging from the iconic giant tortoises to lesser known plant and bug life that are often hidden away in the hard-to-reach areas. The Galapagos Islands are so biodiverse because of the many different habitat zones that can be found across the Islands.
Do the Galápagos Islands have different environments?
There are five types of habitat zones in Galapagos: marine, shore, arid, transition and humid.
How can the Galapagos island be described?
The Galapagos Islands are formed of lava piles and dotted with shield volcanoes, many of which are periodically active. The striking ruggedness of the arid landscape is accentuated by high volcanic mountains, craters, and cliffs.
Why does the Galápagos Islands have high biodiversity?
Biodiversity and population health With many endemic species and a great range of wildlife, Galapagos has a high level of biodiversity. This is due to the number of very different habitat zones found in Galapagos, and also due to more acute environmental differences between the habitats of each island.
How are the Galápagos Islands different from each other?
The Galapagos Islands are uniquely located on both sides of the equator in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The islands are situated at a point in the Pacific Ocean where three ocean currents collide, creating a unique area in the sea where warm and varying degrees of cold water meet.
What type of ecosystem is the Galápagos Islands?
On the Galapagos Islands, there are three major ecosystems: terrestrial, coastal and marine. In the years of El Niño, the ecosystems show their characteristic behaviours. In the terrestrial zone predominate heavy rains, which has a positive effect on the animals and plants in this zone.
What type of biome is the Galápagos Islands?
| Galápagos Islands xeric scrub | |
|---|---|
| Realm | Neotropical |
| Biome | deserts and xeric shrublands |
| Geography | |
| Area | 8,032 km2 (3,101 sq mi) |
What kind of mammals live on Galapagos Islands?
There are only four types of native mammals that actually live on the islands, Sea Lions, Fur Seals, Rats and Bats. There are two different species of bat in the islands, the Galapagos Red Bat and the Hoary Bat. Other marine mammals you may see when cruising the islands are whales and dolphins.