04/29/2026
Ep #97 Paleo Nerds Journey to the Galápagos Islands with Naturalist Guide Sandra Masaquiza
After a Galápagos trip with his partner Stephanie and paleontologist friends Lee and Ashley Hall, Dave realized the group was so impressed by their tour guide and conservationist, Sandra Masaquiza, that she became the perfect candidate for the next Paleo Nerds guest.
Ep 97 Paleo Nerds in the Galápagos with Sandra Masaquiza
Sandra is a biologist and has been a naturalist guide for the Galápagos National Park since 2017.
Links
Galápagos National Park protects one of the most biologically unique ecosystems on Earth, where evolution can be observed in real time.
Sandra is a member of the Indigenous Salasaca community, a culturally rich group with deep roots in Ecuador.
This beautiful video from Salasaca offers a glimpse into the town and its people, presented in Spanish.
The Salasaca people speak Quichua, a highland Indigenous language that remains stable and widely used in Ecuador.
Baltra Island is the main entry point to the Galápagos, where flights from mainland Ecuador arrive.
The striking Galápagos frigatebird is known for its dramatic red throat pouch and aerial prowess.
Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island is the largest town in the Galápagos and where Sandra grew up.
Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, sits on the Pacific coast and is divided by the Guayas River.
Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz Island is one of the most pristine and iconic beaches in the Galápagos.
Ocean dynamics play a crucial role, as four major currents converge around the islands, fueling their biodiversity.
Charles Darwin remains history’s most famous biologist, whose observations here helped shape evolutionary theory.
Alfred Russel Wallace independently conceived natural selection, reinforcing Darwin’s groundbreaking ideas.
The Charles Darwin Research Station is a hub for conservation and scientific research in the islands.
The Charles Darwin Foundation supports long-term ecological research and preservation efforts across the Galápagos.
Lonesome George, the last of his subspecies, became a global symbol of extinction in his final years.
The iconic blue-footed boobies are famous for their bright feet, a trait tied to diet and mating displays.
In this video explanation by Richard Dawkins, the evolution of giant tortoises across the islands is broken down in detail.
The Galápagos avian vampire fly has one of the most disturbing life cycles in the ecosystem.
The invasive ani bird is among the most damaging introduced species affecting native wildlife.
José de Villamil was sent to the Galápagos after Ecuador’s independence to assess the islands’ status and potential.
The expedition featured in this episode was booked through G Adventures, a travel company specializing in immersive experiences.
Planeterra works to uplift local communities through sustainable tourism initiatives around the world.
Music
Colugo by Ray Troll
Ready to Grow by Whiskey Class
Clove by Patrick Troll
Controls by Patrick Troll