Forests on the semi-arid ABC islands (11) – Cacti; special trees

The most picturesque plant on our islands is simply the cactus, and especially the columnar cactus. On the islands there are three different native columnar cacti that each have their own name on each of the islands. Learn how to differentiate between them.

Wild flowers – Bourreria succulenta

A tree that will lose its leaves when the drought keep going on, but is also often the last one to drop all its leaves when it gets to dry.

Young and adult – Rufous-collared sparrow

All wildlife has many life phases. This series puts the spotlight on animals in both their young or immature life stage and their adult stage, beginning with the Rufous-collared sparrow.

Tiny critters: Six-spotted zigzag ladybird

The Six-spotted zigzag ladybird is a species native to Asia and Australia but now widespread across the world, including the Caribbean.

Shells: Mouse cone

The family of Conidae or Cone snails as it is called in English contains an enormous variety of genera and species. Meet the Mouse cone.

Wild flowers – Opuntia elatior

De Opuntia elatior is a rare leaf cactis that can be found on the ABC-islands.

Forests on the semi-arid ABC islands (10) – Trees in our local history

Our history is full of trees. Used as building materials, as a food supply for humans and livestock, to tan leather of to make quicklime, the stories are ample.

Baby birds behaviour

The nest fledgling behaviour of grebe chicks is a strategy to be as safe as possible as soon as possible after hatching.

Marine wildlife – Variegated sea urchin

Sea urchins have a bad reputation, but they are essential to a healthy marine environment including reefs. The Variegated sea urchin is one of several species of sea urchin.

Wild flowers – Aloe vera

Introduced to the ABC-islands in colonial times, the Aloe vera plant is now almost naturalized on the islands and grows in the wild.

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