Candlebra Cactus: This is an endemic species that grows up to 23 feet. The color of the cactus is green, and sectionalized like a candlebra. It sprouts green and red flowers that produce fruits of the same color before dawn each day. This species can only be found on the Santa Cruz island, more specifically on the cliffs of Puerto Ayora. The arms become woodier with age and when the plant dies the hollow woody "skeleton" is left behind.
Red-Footed Booby
These birds have brown coloring albeit their red feet. They also have a blue bill and a red base. They are the smallest of the booby birds. They are one of the few seabirds to create and perch in vegetation. Although the red-footed booby is the most numerous of the Galapagos species, it spends much of its time over the ocean feeding so they are not seen as much as the other booby's. The Galapagos species is considered an endemic subspecies.
Concentric Pufferfish
This fish like to hang out in shallow water and can be seen from ships. Although these fish look like any other fish, looks can be deceiving. The skin is covered in a very poisonous substance which comes in handy to keep away possible predators. Another way that they deter predators is by puffing up by sucking in water or air as well from their concentric markings.
How do the Ocean Currents affect the Galapagos?
The climate in the Galapagos Islands is different from the other islands near the equator because the climate is dominated by the prevailing current. It can create strong, unpredictable tides between islands, cooler than normal temperatures which results in the unique ecology of the islands.
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