Let’s Journey to the Galapagos Islands

What can weigh up to 700 pounds, live up to 188 years and can be ridden like a horse?

A Galapagos Tortoise

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mshandro/756336236/

How did the tortoise get to Galapagos Islands? It was native to Equador some 600 miles away

On the HMS Beagle, a historic journey was made

Charles Darwin, a Naturalist made a famous historical trip

On the Galapagos Islands Darwin found many interesting species:

What is a species? • A group that have common characteristics and

have the ability to reproduce

Some of the species that Darwin found:

• The Marine Iguana

Finch Birds

Galapagos Tortoises

Darwin was convinced that Evolution had occurred

What is Evolution? Gradual Change that is driven by

Natural Selection Natural Selection(aka Survival of The

Fittest) is when forms of life have traits that allow them to adapt therefore survive

Examples of species who have survived because of Natural Selection

3 things that effect Natural Selection

• 1. Overproduction• 2. Competition• 3. Variation

Evolution Continued

Overproduction

• Too many offspring are produced for the amount of resources available

Competition

• Organisms compete for food, shelter, etc.

Variation

• Variation is adaptation.• Organisms have the ability to 1. blend in (camouflage) 2. obtain food (sharp teeth, sense of smell,

etc.) 3. Protection (quills, odors, etc.) 4. Helps it to move (speed, climbing, etc.)When adaptation occurs, is happens through

generations.

How have these animals adapted?

• Porcupine

Giraffe

Chuckwala

Camels