Santa Cruz Island
One of the most wonderful aspects of a trip to the Galapagos is that the invisible screen that keeps us from connecting with our fellow inhabitants of planet Earth is suddenly removed. On reaching the Enchanted Islands we suddenly experience something we had never even imagined: walking among other creatures in complete peace and harmony as they continue with their lives, blissfully unconcerned by our presence. The strongest reaction we cause amongst the inhabitants of Galapagos is a curiosity that ranges from mild to as intense as our own.
We naturally feel empathy towards mammals, as we belong to the same Class and have much in common, but with the exception of marine mammals, these are few and far between in these remote islands, where reigns the Class Reptilia. The reptiles were much better equipped than those animals more closely related to us to survive the long crossing at sea and eke out a living in the barren landscapes of the Galapagos. During our trip here we are thus bought in closer proximity to the unknown, which has always inspired a little distrust and squeamishness, if not outright dislike.
But once we find ourselves in front of creatures as different and magnificent as the Galapagos giant tortoise, we are drawn to take a closer look and overcome all vestiges of Class prejudice to recognize we all come from a common ancestor. Invisible barriers disintegrate as curiosity prevails, and creatures that are divided by many things come together. Humans and tortoises originate from different eras, tortoises having been around for over 300 million years, compared to our miserly 2-3 million year presence on this planet; yet they are now but a relic from another era, whilst humans are one of the most successful beings on earth. Their primitive origins are reflected in many aspects of their biology, such as the fact they are ectothermic (as opposed to endothermic, or warm-blooded) and egg-layers.
The Galapagos Islands have bought together creatures from different geological eras, different zoogeographical areas, and different biological natures; teaching us the most valuable lesson of all: we truly are just part of one larger reality.
One of the most wonderful aspects of a trip to the Galapagos is that the invisible screen that keeps us from connecting with our fellow inhabitants of planet Earth is suddenly removed. On reaching the Enchanted Islands we suddenly experience something we had never even imagined: walking among other creatures in complete peace and harmony as they continue with their lives, blissfully unconcerned by our presence. The strongest reaction we cause amongst the inhabitants of Galapagos is a curiosity that ranges from mild to as intense as our own.
We naturally feel empathy towards mammals, as we belong to the same Class and have much in common, but with the exception of marine mammals, these are few and far between in these remote islands, where reigns the Class Reptilia. The reptiles were much better equipped than those animals more closely related to us to survive the long crossing at sea and eke out a living in the barren landscapes of the Galapagos. During our trip here we are thus bought in closer proximity to the unknown, which has always inspired a little distrust and squeamishness, if not outright dislike.
But once we find ourselves in front of creatures as different and magnificent as the Galapagos giant tortoise, we are drawn to take a closer look and overcome all vestiges of Class prejudice to recognize we all come from a common ancestor. Invisible barriers disintegrate as curiosity prevails, and creatures that are divided by many things come together. Humans and tortoises originate from different eras, tortoises having been around for over 300 million years, compared to our miserly 2-3 million year presence on this planet; yet they are now but a relic from another era, whilst humans are one of the most successful beings on earth. Their primitive origins are reflected in many aspects of their biology, such as the fact they are ectothermic (as opposed to endothermic, or warm-blooded) and egg-layers.
The Galapagos Islands have bought together creatures from different geological eras, different zoogeographical areas, and different biological natures; teaching us the most valuable lesson of all: we truly are just part of one larger reality.
