Santa Cruz Island
The Galapagos Islands are home to one of the most interesting and famous reptiles in the world: the Galapagos giant tortoises. Today, we spent the whole day learning about these majestic creatures. In the morning we visited the world-renowned Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS). Among many important conservation programs, the CDRS, together with the Galapagos National Park Service, is making a colossal effort to try to save the endangered populations of giant tortoises.
After a well-deserved lunch in the highlands, we went to look for the gigantic reptiles in the wild. We all came back on board with the satisfaction of having spent time with one of the most famous animal species that still roam free in the world.
In the picture of today you can see a big tortoise trying to cover itself from the heat of the day. Giant tortoises are poikilothermic, which means that they cannot regulate their own temperature. These reptiles have to adopt behavioural patterns in order to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, the giant tortoises’ behaviour depends heavily on the climatic conditions they are exposed to. In general terms they are more active in mild temperatures and while food is available. In the hot season, what we are experiencing now, giant tortoises wake up very early in the morning and are active during the first hours of the day. Later on when temperatures rise, they find a shady place for a good, long sleep.
The Galapagos Islands are home to one of the most interesting and famous reptiles in the world: the Galapagos giant tortoises. Today, we spent the whole day learning about these majestic creatures. In the morning we visited the world-renowned Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS). Among many important conservation programs, the CDRS, together with the Galapagos National Park Service, is making a colossal effort to try to save the endangered populations of giant tortoises.
After a well-deserved lunch in the highlands, we went to look for the gigantic reptiles in the wild. We all came back on board with the satisfaction of having spent time with one of the most famous animal species that still roam free in the world.
In the picture of today you can see a big tortoise trying to cover itself from the heat of the day. Giant tortoises are poikilothermic, which means that they cannot regulate their own temperature. These reptiles have to adopt behavioural patterns in order to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, the giant tortoises’ behaviour depends heavily on the climatic conditions they are exposed to. In general terms they are more active in mild temperatures and while food is available. In the hot season, what we are experiencing now, giant tortoises wake up very early in the morning and are active during the first hours of the day. Later on when temperatures rise, they find a shady place for a good, long sleep.
