Charles Darwin traveled on the HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836, studying diverse species in South America, the Galápagos Islands, and other locations. His key observations included:
1. Variation in Species:
Darwin noticed that finches on different Galápagos Islands had different beak shapes, suited to their specific diets. Some had long, pointed beaks for insects, while others had strong, thick beaks for cracking seeds.
2. Adaptation to the Environment:
He observed that species were well-suited to their surroundings. For example, giant tortoises on different islands had different shell shapes, adapted to the vegetation available in their habitats.
3. Fossil Evidence:
Darwin discovered fossils of extinct animals that resembled modern species. This suggested that species had changed over time.
4. Geographic Distribution:
He noticed that animals on isolated islands were similar to species on the mainland but had unique adaptations. This led him to propose that species could change over time and adapt to new environments.
These observations helped Darwin develop his theory of natural selection, explaining how species evolve based on environmental pressures.