Galapagos AdaptationsGalapagos Adaptations

Exploring how species have adapted to their island environments over time.

Galapagos Animal GalleryGalapagos Animal Gallery• The paired photographs you will see depict

similar animals of the same size.

• Compare these images carefully.

• List any differences you notice, no matter how small.

• Briefly describe each animal’s habitat and diet.

(2006). Darwin & the Galapagos Islands. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Go Visit Galapagos Web site: http://www.govisitgalapagos.com/darwin/default.asp

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA Galapagos. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Classroom Investigations: Galapagos Adaptations Web site: http://pubs.nsta.org/galapagos/activities/gallery/gallery2.html

(Jan 3, 2007). Photos/Mixed Selection. Retrieved January 9, 2007, from www.CQJ.dk Travelling, Sports Fishing & Photography Web site: http://www.cqj.dk/mix-photo-eng.htm

(2007). Galapagos Pictures, Galapagos Wildlife. Retrieved January 9, 2007, from in-quito.com Galapagos Pictures Web site: http://www.in-quito.com/galapagos/pictures-2.htm

Is the only sea-going iguana in the worldFlat tail Square nose Dark colorationPartially webbed feetColoration camouflages them in the dark lava on which they live

Enables iguanas of all ages to absorb more heat from the sun

A large relative of the South American and Caribbean terrestrial iguanaRound tailPointed noseBrownish-red in color on topYellow-orange underneathEats grass and other ground plants, especially the large prickly-pear cactus.

Marine IguanaLives near the water Lives in dry regions

on land

Land Iguanavs.

Dark color

Short snout

Long claws for gripping rocks

Light color

Long snout

Short claws

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA Galapagos. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Classroom Investigations: Galapagos Adaptations Web site: http://pubs.nsta.org/galapagos/activities/gallery/gallery2.html

(2006). Darwin & the Galapagos Islands. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Go Visit Galapagos Web site: http://www.govisitgalapagos.com/darwin/default.asp

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA Galapagos. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Classroom Investigations: Galapagos Adaptations Web site: http://pubs.nsta.org/galapagos/activities/gallery/gallery2.html

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA Galapagos. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Classroom Investigations: Galapagos Adaptations Web site: http://pubs.nsta.org/galapagos/activities/gallery/gallery2.html

(2007). Galapagos Islands Guided Tour. Retrieved January 9, 2007, from AGalapagos Islands Guided Tour - Isla Santa Cruz, Ecuador Web site: http://www.discovergalapagos.com/santacru.html

(2006). Tortoise T-Shirts. Retrieved January 9, 2007, from JungleWalk.com Gifts for Animal Lovers Web site: http://www.junglewalk.com/shop/Tortoise-t-shirts.htm

One of the major groups of giant tortoises in the Galapagos IslandsArched carapace (shell) in the frontLong legsLong snoutLong neck that allows it to reach for its food high above the groundFound in the dry areas of Espanola, Pinzon, Pinta, and Fernandina Islands

One of the major groups of giant tortoises in the Galapagos IslandsRounded shellBlunt snoutShorter neckFound on islands with rich vegetation (like Santa Cruz and Isabela)Larger and heavierRounded shell allows it to move through the thick vegetation more easily than the saddleback tortoise

Lives in dry region

vs.Lives in an area of thick vegetation

Saddleback Tortoise

Domed Tortoise

Eats leaves high in treesHighly arched shell openingLong neck

Long legs

Eats grasses and leaves close to ground

Low, rounded shell opening

Short neck

Short legs

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA Galapagos. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Classroom Investigations: Galapagos Adaptations Web site: http://pubs.nsta.org/galapagos/activities/gallery/gallery2.html

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA Galapagos. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Classroom Investigations: Galapagos Adaptations Web site: http://pubs.nsta.org/galapagos/activities/gallery/gallery2.html

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA Galapagos. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Classroom Investigations: Galapagos Adaptations Web site: http://pubs.nsta.org/galapagos/activities/gallery/gallery2.html

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA Galapagos. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Classroom Investigations: Galapagos Adaptations Web site: http://pubs.nsta.org/galapagos/activities/gallery/gallery2.html

(2007). Cormorant Showing Off Photo. Retrieved January 9, 2007, from TrekNature Web site: http://www.treknature.com/gallery/North_America/Canada/photo45462.htm

(2007). Flightless Cormorant. Retrieved January 9, 2007, from ARKive: Images of Life on Earth Web site: http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/birds/Phalacrocorax_harrisi/

Found only in the GalapagosDark with black coloration above and brown underneathStreamlined body, thick neck, larger beak Strong legsSparsely feathered vestigial wings

The wings are small and useless for flightWebbed feetUses its strong legs and webbed feet to swim and capture fish, eels, and octopuses

28 other living species of cormorants, all of which use their wings for flightWell-developed wing muscles, making their bodies thicker than the flightless cormorantLegs are much more refined because they do not use them for swimming that muchEat mainly fishThin neck, smaller beak

Flightless Cormorant

Found only in the Galapagos

Not found in the Galapagos

vs. Cormorant

Thick, strong legs for swimming

Small, vestigial wings

Streamlined body for swimming

Long, well-developed wings

Slender Legs

Heavier body

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA Galapagos. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Classroom Investigations: Galapagos Adaptations Web site: http://pubs.nsta.org/galapagos/activities/gallery/gallery2.html

National Science Teachers Association, NSTA Galapagos. Retrieved January 4, 2007, from Classroom Investigations: Galapagos Adaptations Web site: http://pubs.nsta.org/galapagos/activities/gallery/gallery2.html

Looking at Habitat AdaptationsLooking at Habitat Adaptations

Choose one animal from each pair.

Explain how the traits you observed may help the animal survive or thrive in its habitat.

Give at least three examples of different traits and explain each one.

1.1. How have isolation and the unique How have isolation and the unique conditions of the Galapagos Islands given conditions of the Galapagos Islands given rise to the unusual features of Galapagos rise to the unusual features of Galapagos animals?animals?

2.2. Would they survive if they were introduced Would they survive if they were introduced into similar ecosystems elsewhere in the into similar ecosystems elsewhere in the world?world?

3.3. What kind of adaptations would allow What kind of adaptations would allow existing Galapagos animals to survive in existing Galapagos animals to survive in other habitats around the world? other habitats around the world? (Remember, organisms can’t adapt (Remember, organisms can’t adapt because they want to or need to.)because they want to or need to.)

Final QuestionsFinal Questions