The Colon Archipelago, formerly known as the Galápagos Islands, is located in the Pacific Ocean and consists of 16 large islands, numerous small islands, and coral reefs. It covers a total area of approximately 7,976 km2 and lies about 1,000 km east of the Equator.
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(Image: qualityinvestment) |
Colon Archipelago is a volcanic island characterized by steep cliffs and volcanic hills. It is home to many rare animal species, the most unique of which is the giant sea turtle. These turtles can grow over 1 meter in length and weigh more than 200 kg, allowing two people to ride on their backs. The turtles are extremely rare and prefer to live in coastal grass beds, primarily feeding on cacti. When the Spanish first arrived in 1535 and discovered the large turtles, they named the islands “Galápagos,” which means “Tortoise Island.”
The large lizard (Lacerti) is another remarkable animal found on the islands, including both terrestrial and marine species. The terrestrial lizards exceed 1 meter in length, while the marine lizards are more numerous and larger, featuring a dark gray body and long tails, resembling dinosaurs. It is believed that primitive lizards from the Mesozoic Era now only exist on Colon Island.
This equatorial archipelago is also home to penguins and sea lions, species usually found only in the frigid polar regions. This is due to the cold Peru current that flows from Antarctica, lowering the water temperature and creating a dry and cool atmosphere. These “visitors,” the sea lions and penguins, follow the cold current and are drawn to the islands.
In September 1835, Darwin traveled aboard an English naval ship to survey this archipelago. He discovered many species of plants and animals that had adapted to their environments, such as variations in the same species of birds and sea turtles whose shapes and behaviors changed in response to different island environments. This revelation led him to realize that nature also plays a role in selecting species, as “those who adapt will survive.” A bust of Darwin was created to commemorate his time living and working here.
Sea Turtle (Image: vheadline)
The island also features a biological research station, leading many to refer to it as the “Museum of Evolution.” In addition to this, in the Indian Ocean near East Africa, there is another famous Turtle Island known as Aldabra. It is home to approximately 150,000 sea turtles, measuring 2 meters in length and weighing over 200 kg, commonly referred to as “Aldabra giant tortoise.”
