![]() This makes Lake Natron the ideal breeding and nesting ground for flamingos. There are no natural predators of flamingos on the shores of Lake Natron. The salt of Lake Natron’s waters is filtered by an incredible gland in the flamingo’s head, and their bodies have adapted to the hot water, without risk of burns to their long legs.įurthermore, they have not only managed to survive – but thrive in this harsh climate. While other animals perish if they even touch or drink the water of Lake Natron, flamingos are able to live here – and even feed on Cyanobacteria how? This algae is safe for humans to eat, and incredibly helpful – but buy it from the grocery store, don’t risk touching the waters of Lake Natron! How do Flamingos Survive in Lake Natron? Many birds die after eating cyanobacteria-filled water except one – the flamingo.Ĭyanobacteria is actually their preferred food and the reason flamingos’ feathers turn such a lovely pink color, too!Ĭyanobacteria is the biological name, but it carries another name you might be familiar with spirulina. The chemical properties of this algae are powerful enough to kill nerves in many types of small animals and birds. CyanobacteriaĪpart from offering a unique, beautiful hue to Lake Natron’s waters, cyanobacteria are also deadly to many creatures. It gives the water this unique red color. Cyanobacteria thrives in alkaline and saline waters and it flourishes in Lake Natron. This is due to the high concentration of special algae known as cyanobacteria. Why Is It Red in Color?Īpart from being an alkaline lake, Lake Natron is also red in color. Take a trek to the Ngare Sero Waterfall if you’re looking for a swim while in Lake Natron. Thankfully, the Lake Natron community of Ngare Sero has a water source in the form of a freshwater river, which is completely safe. The water is too dangerous for humans to attempt to get it. Some humans have survived a quick dip in Lake Natron (due to a helicopter crash, not intentionally swimming), but they did experience extensive burns on their bodies. Yes, the ph level of the water of Lake Natron is incredibly alkaline – nearly a ph level of 11, which can burn human skin.įurther, the heat of the water can be over 120F, which can cause burns if a human remains in the water for a sustained period of time. Therefore, the lake only hosts a few aquatic creatures, including a type of alkaline-adapted tilapia fish that resides only in the cooler areas of the lake. Most creatures cannot live in such hostile environments. It is a very warm lake, with temperatures rating between 100F-120F year-round, with the highest temperature readings being a frightening 140F.įor reference, 140F is hot enough to burn human skin in a matter of seconds! The alkaline levels of Lake Natron’s water have been measured as high as 10.5 on the ph rating scale (that’s nearly as high as ammonia), which can burn humans, animals and birds on contact. While the hot sun evaporates the shallow waters of the lake, the sodium carbonate remains. Since the lake has no outlet, and the area gets infrequent rainfall, over centuries the salinity of the water has increased. Therefore, over millennia, the sodium has leached from the bedrock into the waters of the lake. The bedrock around Lake Natron has been measured, showing that it was formed from the sodium-dense hardened lava from the neighboring volcano. Lake Natron in Tanzania gets its incredibly high alkalinity and salinity from nearby Oldonyio Lengai an active volcano that spews a lava very high in sodium carbonate. ![]() Most important nesting ground for Lesser Flamingos in the world About Lake Natron Location: Northern Tanzania, near the border to Kenya in the Gregory RiftĪ soda (or salt) lake with a ph level of 10.5 (alkaline)īreeding grounds for over 2.5 million Lesser Flamingos Visitors come from all over the world to see the red waters of Lake Natron and capture photos of the beautiful flamingos that call this harsh environment home. However, there is a creature that thrives on this lake – the elegant, delicate-looking flamingo.Īs many as two and a half million lesser flamingos live, breed, and lay their eggs in the alkaline waters of Lake Natron. If you visit Lake Natron, you will not be swimming in this lake! Lake Natron, Tanzania is considered the most dangerous lake in the world because the alkaline and saline water can burn human’s eyes and skin on contact – and even kill a human if he or she were to be submerged for a time. Myths of Mummified Animals in Lake Natron.How do Flamingos Survive in Lake Natron?.
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