Dr. Bug

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Galapagos 3 Aug 2008 12:00 AM
Galapagos Natural History Tour by Administrator Comment (0)

Galapagos Overview1

San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
The Enchanted Isles

Introduction:

The Galapagos Archipelago is a group of volcanic islands 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. The Galapagos Islands were formed as a result of the Pacific plate moving over a volcanic hotspot.  Each eruption created a buildup of lava and ash that formed islands when they broke the surface. The oldest islands are around 5 million years old and the youngest islands are still being formed.

The Galapagos Islands are located at the point of contact of three currents: the cold water Humboldt Current which flows north from Antarctica, the warm water Panama Current, which flows south, and the eastern flowing Cromwell undercurrent.  These currents regulate the climate on the islands.  Galapagos has two main seasons, the rainy season and garua.  During the rainy season it is hot and sunny during the day with heavy rainfall in the afternoon.  The rainy season lasts from January until June.  Between July and November the season is called Garua.  Garua is Spanish for mist, and is a fitting name for the dense mists that collect over the archipelago. The garua results when warm air masses move over the cool Humboldt Current, causing moisture to condense out of the atmosphere. During El Niño years, the garua is replaced by heavy rainfall. Even during the warmth of day, the mist persists at high elevations, although lower elevations may be dry.

The Galapagos Islands and Marine Reserve contain a unique combination of land and oceanic ecosystems, with many distinct habitats and communities to be found in each. The Galapagos are situated at the point where major ocean currents meet, and the islands straddle the junctions between several shifting tectonic plates. These circumstances combine to make an area that truly is like no other place on earth.
Galapagos is one of the best-conserved tropical oceanic archipelagos in the world. Species that have adapted successfully to a barren and inhospitable landscape often occupy a unique niche in that ecosystem, and have little competition for food, water and space. The introduction of a new species into such simple ecosystems can have rapid and far-reaching effects.


The Galapagos Islands are situated on the equator and about 1000 km off the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Galapagos is comprised of 14 major islands, more than 120 smaller islets and rocks, and the surrounding ocean. The total land mass is almost 8,000 sq. km and the Galapagos Marine Reserve surrounding the archipelago is 138,000 sq. km. The present islands are all younger than 4 million years and were formed separately from other land masses as a result of volcanic eruptions.

Humans — both residents and tourists — have become part of the Galapagos ecosystem, as have many species of plant and animal that have been introduced by humans to the islands. One of the challenges Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) faces, as do all those involved in protecting and conserving Galapagos, is how best to integrate the needs of the human population whilst limiting our impact on this unique part of the world. Environmental, economic and social sustainability cannot be separated.

 In 1959, the Ecuadorian government set aside 1,714,000 acres (693,700 ha), 90% of the Galapagos Islands as a National Park. All the lands not already included in the settlement areas were designated and incorporated into the park. In 1967 a park service was set up in the islands and 5 years later the first park superintendent arrived.

The Galapagos Islands are one of the most magical places on earth. Here animals live without fear and do not run away from visitors. To maintain the uniqueness of the Galapagos Islands the National Park Service has developed rules to aid in the preservation. Your naturalist-guide will explain and enforce these rules making sure that all visitors stay together on marked paths and respect and follow the other park service regulations.
 

1. No plant, animal, or remains of such (including shells, bones, and pieces of wood), or other natural objects should not be removed or disturbed.
2. Be careful not to transport any live material to the islands, or from island to island.
3. Do not take any food to the uninhabited islands, for the same reason.
4. Do not touch or handle the animals.
5. Do not feed the animals. It can be dangerous to you, and in the long run would destroy the animals' social structure and breeding habits.
6. Do not startle or chase any animal from its resting or nesting spot.
7. Stay within the areas designated as visiting sites.
8. Do not leave any litter on the islands, or throw any off your boat.
9. Do not deface the rocks.
10. Do not buy souvenirs or objects made of plants or animals from the islands.
11. Do not visit National Park areas unless accompanied by a licensed National Park Guide.
12. Restrict your visits to officially approved areas.
13. Show your conservationist attitude.
1 Taken from www.darwinfoundation.org/ and www.galapagosonline.com/nathistory/nationalpark/nationalpark.htm



Galapagos Travel Log

Day 1 - 6/6/08
We had a late evening introductory welcome meeting led by our Fundación Jatun Sacha travel guides, Christopher James and Carina Holguín, before bed at the Hotel Alston in Quito. The travel group consists of: me, twelve high school students, age 15-17 and their two teacher chaperones from a pre-collegiate private high school in Norfolk, Virginia.
Dr. Bugs Challenge 21 May 2008 12:00 AM
My Method to Successfully Kiss a Marine Iguana: by Dr. Bug Comment (0)

The Context: Marine iguanas are the only ocean iguanas (a reptile) on earth. They are herbivores who eat seaweed and I'm thinking they have grinding rather than canine (meat tearing) teeth but I could be wrong! And, I am wrong! They have spikey insectivore teeth. The tooth structure is important for me to know when I approach and ask one of them for a kiss! They are also pokilotherms (got to love that word, I say it as often as I can!) which means they are cold-blooded and important information for me.

The Text: I plan to approach Marine iguanas during the coolest part of their day (when they will be slowest since they are pokilotherms who body temperature and activity is dependent on the temperature of their environment: When it's hot, they are active; when it's cold, they may not move!) However, they are more angry when they are cold and most vulnerable.

So, I will approach them when they're hot first! I will approach them slowly, with respect for their space and talking baby-talk (the universal language, in my opinion). I will aprroach them from their front side, near their head (making sure they see me every step of the way), since a flip of their tail might knock me over. I will begin rubbing their neck since I have found reptiles love neck rubs! THEN, I will give a kiss on the top of their head and maybe even their mouth if possible.

What do you think about this kiss method? Let me know before June 1st since I leave on June 4th for Inter-Species Kissing on the Galapagos Islands!

Galapagos 21 May 2008 12:00 AM
Going to the Galapagos by Dr. Bug Comment (0)

Greetings Inter-Species-Kisser Friends I will be leaving for the Galapagos Islands on June 4th to kiss marine iguanas, Galapagos tortoises and red, blue and green footed Boobies, among others! Kiss pictures will be posted in the first week of July. How do you exactly approach and ask a marine iguana for a kiss? Think about it! My answer later.

General 21 May 2008 12:00 AM
Inter-Species Kiss Challenge by Dr. Bug Comment (3)
How do you kiss a banana slug? Very gently and on the head-end of it’s body where its large pair of tentacle "eyestalks", used to detect light or movement, are located.! But first you need to find one. They like to spend most of their time in moist tree litter on forest floors along North America's Pacific coastal coniferous rainforest belt from Washington to California.

Greetings Inter-Species-Kisser Friends I will be leaving for the Galapagos Islands on June 4th to kiss marine iguanas, Galapagos tortoises and red, blue and green footed Boobies, among others! Kiss pictures will be posted in the first week of July. How do you exactly approach and ask a marine iguana for a kiss? Think about it! My answer later.

{click between the brackets below for my answer}
General 3 Mar 2008 11:00 PM
Nature Challenge by Dr. Bug Comment (0)

Have you ever observed a tree frog swallowing a fruit fly? Back-yard tree frogs eat flies and keep them off of fruit so it’s nice for us to eat. They eat flies and other small insects and they take their ecological job very seriously. Where would we be without tree frogs? We’d at least be surrounded by more flies!

The mating croaks of the two inch long Pacific tree frogs can be heard for as much as two miles! They croak almost continuously from March to May. Their skin changes color to match their background from a light tan color to a dark green.

Try to find a tree frog in nature today. They can be found on wet leaves and often hide on the under-side of leaves. Their feet stick to the leaves so they have no problem sitting up-side-down!

General 3 Mar 2008 11:00 PM
Science Fun Facts by Dr. Bug Comment (1)
Did you know that if a spider web was the size of a large fishing net, it could stop a jet plane, full-throttle in mid-air, no problem? Spider silk (protein) is the strongest known natural (biologically produced) substance.

What’s the strongest inorganic (for example: rocks, minerals and dirt) substance on earth? Think about it! Post your answer on our Blog.


“If a sea otter can’t have fun doing something, it simply won’t do it.” The High Desert Museum

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