Some 200 years ago in England there lived a young man named Charles Darwin. He was a nature and animal lover, who, from very young age enjoyed spending hour after hour in the garden discovering different species of animals and insects. 

Darwin grew up and it was time for him to go off to university. He was not sure what he wanted to study or what he wanted to be when he was older. That is, until he met a botany professor who shared with Darwin his knowledge and love for plants and other living creatures. That professor instilled in him a tremendous interest for every species on Earth.

Darwin soon showed great passion for his studies. He spent entire days observing plants and animals, and became one of the best students in class. He had a special talent for making new discoveries!

One day his professor offered him the opportunity to set off on a scientific expedition. He would sail around the world, studying the world’s different plants and animals, perhaps even discovering new species. This challenge would help him to someday become an important biologist.

Darwin thought the idea was wonderful, but his father did not agree and told him he was not allowed to take the trip. When Darwin’s father saw his enthusiasm for the project, though, he had no choice but to let him go. He understood that this adventure was Charles’ dream and realised that as a father, he should support his son.  

The great day arrived and together with Captain FitzRoy, Darwin in boarded the HMS Beagle to set sail from the coast of England at Christmas 1831. The voyage would change Darwin’s future and all of humanity, or rather, the way all people on earth understood life. 

The voyage was rough from the very start. They were constantly seasick, and sailed the ocean with no luck locating any animal species, Darwin would think about all the opportunities awaiting him. This was how he regained strength and enthusiasm in order to stay alert on his feet. 

The expedition's first stops were on the Azores Islands and Cabo Verde. Darwin quickly disembarked to study all the animals and plants he could find. He soon realised that animals species varied from one place to another on the planet; in fact, they were quite different.

He discovered there were birds that were very similar to one another, but whose beaks varied with their diet. If they ate fruit, their beaks were curved; if their diet was seed-based, their beaks were designed for cracking, and if they ate insects, they had small beaks to catch them more easily.

The expedition set off again for the coast of Brazil where he found fossilized bodies of animals that had lived years ago, trapped in the rocks. Those animals, although similar, were not the same as the animals living now. They were like cousins from another time!

The expedition's first stops were on the Azores Islands and Cabo Verde. Darwin quickly disembarked to study all the animals and plants he could find. He soon realized that animals species varied from one place to another on the planet; in fact, they were quite different.

His research showed that over time animals had evolved; they had become stronger and adapted to their environments. This was how different species could continue to exist on Earth. But how could that possibly happen? Darwin kept on with his studies.

He traveled all around South America, the Galapagos Islands, Australia, and the islands of the Indian Ocean and Africa. In each place he discovered varying flora and fauna. Some species reminded him of animals he had found earlier, but with unique characteristics.

On the Galapagos Islands, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he made. the most interesting discoveries. He observed that tortoises had different shells depending on which island they inhabited. This led him to believe they may have a common ancestor, a distant relative.