Not only famous for the image of a giant pool of thousands of petrified corpses, but Natron Lake is also an ideal paradise for beautiful flamingos.
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The mineral-rich hot spring is the dream relaxation spot for many. However, if you happen to visit Natron Lake in Tanzania in East Africa, you should only see the beautiful flamingos living in the area. Photo: Lonely Planet.
It is said this is a puddle of death when the animals accidentally fall into the lake and turn into thousands of calcified statues. This begs the question: Why do flamingos like to roam the lake while Africa has so many freshwater sources that they can choose instead? In fact, a number of reasons have been put forward but the diet is remarkable. Photo: Aitchcue.
Flamingos mainly eat blue bacteria called spirulina (arthrospira fusiformis). This algae grows in highly alkaline waters. Natron is the perfect environment for the bacteria to thrive. Millions of flamingos have flock here every year to breed and raise children. Photo: Envato Elements.
In addition to being the main food source, spirulina also plays a role in creating beautiful colors for the bird's appearance. The bacterium is dark blue, containing a photosynthetic pigment called carotenoid. This pigment is also found in carrots, egg yolks and autumn leaves. Photo: Ngorongoroexpedition.
Science proves that if you eat a lot of carrots, your skin will turn orange. This also applies to flamingos. The carotenoids in spirulina are directly responsible for the bright pink of flamingos. However, the abundance of spirulina is not the only reason that Natron Lake becomes the ideal habitat for beautiful birds. Photo: Magspace.
Flamingos love to breed and nest on isolated islands around the lake. While most animals and plants cannot live in lakes, their special body composition has helped flamingos safely wade in shallow water. Caustic water in the lake acts as a barrier, keeping the animal safe from predators like baboons and jungle cats. Photo: Pinterest.
The safe environment has allowed the birds to multiply in large numbers. At present, Natron Lake acts as the main breeding area for 2.5 million flamingos, accounting for about 75% of the global population of this species. This number declines in the face of global climate change and the area around the lake in danger of giving way to artificial projects. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Threats to Natron Lake and other flamingo breeding sites across Africa cause a rapid decline in species numbers. That's why the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declares the species as near threatened. Photo: Pinterest.
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