I need help on Galapagos?

Question

I need to write an article about Unique species on islands of Galapagos, can anyone help me with some info, data or how to get started thanks

Answer 1

This should be a very interesting article for you to write! There are many unique species in the Galapagos.

The first step is to choose a species to write about. The Galapagos has unique plant and animal species, so you should consider the option of writing about a plant. I would say very few people will do that. You can use the interned to search for a species. Try Googling "Galapagos unique animals" or "Galapagos species" and similar searches to see what you come up with.

Once you choose an animal, visit the library and RELIABLE internet sites to do your research. I don't know how long your article needs to be, but you should follow the basic format of Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. Some things you could speak about are:

1. Why is the Galapagos filled with unique species? (Hints: Nazca Plate, Humboldt and Panama Currents). A mention of the lack of preditors would fit in with this topic. Also, you could discuss the significance the lack of (many) mammals and amphibians but prevalance of reptiles.

2. Who first researched the animals of the Galapagos, and what did they find?

3. What is special about the species you selected? Did it evolve from similar creatures on nearby land masses? What is unique about it? How does it survive, etc.

Etcetera.

Here are some species that you could consider:

Miconia shrub- very interesting! Exists only on the Galapagos, but is now very endangered (due to us, because of cattle grazing!)

Pega Pega Tree or Guaybillo- like the Miconia shrub, these plants are endemic to the Galapagos

Galapagos Penguins- the most northern of all penguins

Galapagos Tortoises-one of the most recognized creatures

Galapagos Finches- you could discuss Darwin's The Origin of Species by Natural Selection

There are so, so many ways you could go with this. Regardless of what species you choose, your paper can be really great if you do the research and spend some time writing it.

Answer 2

The best place to start is always Wikipedia and google.

However, I'll give you three points that may help you start out.

1) Galapagos finches -

More commonly known as Darwin Finches. These finches are famous for being one of the subjects of Darwin's scrutiny. The reason for this is that, despite living in the Galapagos together, these finches are variated from island to island. What this means is that, despite all being similar, each island's finches possess special adaptations that allow the finch to excell at surviving on its particular island. These adaptations usually are relative to beak size, but may include other factors.

2) Marine Iguanas -

This is the only lizard which can hunt in the ocean. They are native to Galapagos and are one of it's distinguishing features. Fascinating creatures, really.

3) Galapagos Tortoises -

These are enourmous tortoises, and they garner fame from both their size and from Darwin having allegedly ridden on one.

In any event, do some wiki-ing, and googling, and best of luck.