Throughout history, these volcanic islands have never been connected to the mainland. Yet animals and plants have been able to migrate here in different ways. Adapting to local conditions, they evolved differently from their continental ancestors.

Thus, many animals and plants on Galapagos are unique: one-fourth of the beach fish, half of the flora and almost all of the reptiles are found nowhere else in the world. In many cases, there are also different animal and plant species on the different islands.

Because large mammals never came ashore, the reptiles were dominant. The islands were uninhabited until 1535: the animals still have very little instinctive fear of humans today.

To preserve this state for the future, there are numerous rules in place in the Galapagos Islands: the number of tourists is limited, the number of boats (from 8 to 100 passengers) that can call at the islands is limited to 83, and visiting the islands can only be done with licensed local guides and according to certain procedures.