Red Mangrove

Description:

Most easily recognized by its long prop roots which hold it above the water, this Red Mangrove stood alone in about a foot of water, rooted in coral sand on the east side of Ambergris Caye off the north end of Belize.

Habitat:

The water rises only a few inches between low and high tide because of the barrier reef a few hundred yards out into the Atlantic.The Red Mangrove is able to root in the shallow calm sand here, and the fact that the water rises only a little between tides allows the prop roots to take in extra oxygen above the water. Interesting adaptation.