The Birthplace of the Theory of Evolution

Nearly every basic biological principle is somehow rooted in the theory of natural selection. In 1835, Charles Darwin arrived at the isolated Galapagos Islands on his historic voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. The isolation experienced by the founding species to these volcanic islands expedited evolution to create a menagerie of new, endemic life forms. Darwin was so impressed by the diversity of terrestrial life contained therein, that he was inspired to write “On the Origin of Species” and introduced the world to the theory of evolution. One hundred and eighty years later, the Galapagos is a celebrated national park, marine reserve, UNESCO World Heritage site, and stands as a flagship for conservation success stories.

Thousands of years ago, cormorants flew to the Galapagos from the mainland of South America. The rich abundance of food and a complete lack of predators meant that flight was no longer a necessity, so the wings shriveled and the birds were grounded. This is now the only species of flightless cormorant in the world.

Species Found Nowhere Else

The unique wildlife continues well past the shorelines. The isolation has not only provided the right conditions for many of the fish and aquatic life to evolve in strange ways, many land animals have also adapted to a life back in the sea. Cormorants that once arrived in the skies have since lost the ability to fly. Marine iguanas scour the subtidal rocks for their favorite algae. The Galapagos even hosts its own species of penguin.