Santa Fe Island
It was a real treat to visit this truly enchanting islet. Santa Fe is a very small island located south of Santa Cruz Island in the central part of the archipelago. Due to its size, this island is normally reserved for smaller tour ships than us. We are allowed to visit this island only on very special occasions. The main attractions this island offers are many and can satisfy many different interests. For plant lovers, this island is home to a particular endemic cactus variety. The English name of the island is Barrington. The variety of prickly pear found here is appropriately named Opuntia echios barringtonensis. These cacti grow to enormous sizes; their trunks are immense. At this you might be wondering: why are the cacti so tall there? Santa Fe historically had a giant tortoise population, now extinct, but still has an abundant iguana population, and its own endemic species at that.
Santa Fe terrestrial reptiles may have had a very strong influence on the evolution of this variety of cactus, in a similar way that giant tortoises and the other iguana species are believed to have had on other islands where tall cacti occur. In Galapagos there are two land iguana species. One lives in Fernandina, Santa Cruz, Baltra, South Plaza and Isabela islands and the other species is restricted just to Santa Fe. In addition to distribution, the two species can easily be distinguished by their different body shape and coloration. Santa Fe land iguanas are paler. Its Latin species name, Conolophus pallidus, reflects that fact. Santa Fe land iguanas have a higher and extensive row of spines along the back. The mouths of land iguanas are incredibly tough as they usually swallow the cacti fruits and pads without removing the spines. In today’s picture you can see a beautiful land iguana that was resting peacefully under a cactus near the trail. If you observe carefully you can see a Galapagos mockingbird to its right. The land iguanas have a very interesting mutualistic relationship with small birds. The birds remove land iguanas’ skin parasites. This relationship benefits both partners. The iguanas are cleaned and the birds obtain an easy meal.
It was a real treat to visit this truly enchanting islet. Santa Fe is a very small island located south of Santa Cruz Island in the central part of the archipelago. Due to its size, this island is normally reserved for smaller tour ships than us. We are allowed to visit this island only on very special occasions. The main attractions this island offers are many and can satisfy many different interests. For plant lovers, this island is home to a particular endemic cactus variety. The English name of the island is Barrington. The variety of prickly pear found here is appropriately named Opuntia echios barringtonensis. These cacti grow to enormous sizes; their trunks are immense. At this you might be wondering: why are the cacti so tall there? Santa Fe historically had a giant tortoise population, now extinct, but still has an abundant iguana population, and its own endemic species at that.
Santa Fe terrestrial reptiles may have had a very strong influence on the evolution of this variety of cactus, in a similar way that giant tortoises and the other iguana species are believed to have had on other islands where tall cacti occur. In Galapagos there are two land iguana species. One lives in Fernandina, Santa Cruz, Baltra, South Plaza and Isabela islands and the other species is restricted just to Santa Fe. In addition to distribution, the two species can easily be distinguished by their different body shape and coloration. Santa Fe land iguanas are paler. Its Latin species name, Conolophus pallidus, reflects that fact. Santa Fe land iguanas have a higher and extensive row of spines along the back. The mouths of land iguanas are incredibly tough as they usually swallow the cacti fruits and pads without removing the spines. In today’s picture you can see a beautiful land iguana that was resting peacefully under a cactus near the trail. If you observe carefully you can see a Galapagos mockingbird to its right. The land iguanas have a very interesting mutualistic relationship with small birds. The birds remove land iguanas’ skin parasites. This relationship benefits both partners. The iguanas are cleaned and the birds obtain an easy meal.
