Madagascar's Oldest Tree

In Tsimanampetsotse National Park in southern Madagascar there is a baobab tree which is 3,000 years old. Known as "grandmother," the tree is still bearing fruit (which lo0ks like black peaches) and thriving. Grandmother is pictured here, along with a close up of her interestingly wrinkled skin. Six of the world's eight species of baobab are found in Madagascar, and many in this region of the island.


Also pictured is a blind cave fish endemic to Madagascar. The water in the cave has some salinity but the fish don't mind. The pools are small, the fish are few, and it seems very strange to have white, eyeless fish swimming in slow motion. It was a cool thing to see; if you click the fish photo it should enlarge for you to have a closer look.