SNAKE (and NOT A SNAKE)

 THIS  bit of SATURDAY SILLINESS is linked to  CAMERA CRITTERS.*

SNAKE:                                                                    NOT A SNAKE:

                                                       

 

The one on the left really is a snake.  But the Strangler Fig on the right almost seems more snake-like than the real one.  Both were found at Corkscrew.

 

The Strangler Fig looks like vines growing up the tree trunk, but it is really roots growing down.  In tropical areas this fig creates a dense canopy which can kill the host trees by shading them from the sun.  (It doesn't actually strangle anything.)  This area of Florida is on the northern edge of its habitat and winter temperatures are chilly enough to limit growth, so that it never develops into that thick canopy.   

( * Thank you to Misty for hosting!!  Visit Camera Critters.  Most of the animals are warmer-blooded  -- and cuter -- than my entry! )

Comments

[hazelisles]

Amazing! Your photos are often views or plants etc., that I've never seen-or heard of!

[Theanne]

learning more about Florida every day! great photos!

[LindyLouMac in Italy]

What an amazing fig tree, I am glad ours do not grow in such a rampant way!

[TexWisGirl]

ahh. i've heard of these but didn't recognize it as 'roots' the other day. :)

[Penny]

How interesting to see roots growing like that, Sallie.
There was a garden on our garden walk last July that had fig trees. It is very difficult to grow figs here in our zone 5 and 5 1/2 (and whatever else they call us). Most winters are hard. These gardeners were determined and have managed to get many years of good harvest. They have to bury the trees each fall, covering them with plastic and leaves. Ah, the heart of a gardener.

[Geogypsy]

I guess roots growing down makes the most sense.

[Al]

I'm glad we don't get those stranglers here in Colorado. But we do get snakes, including the poisonous rattler. Great shots and I love seeing the two next to each other like this!

[dianne]

I love the 'not snake'
it's a bit like a spider web

[Kay L. Davies]

Well now, who knew? Very interesting about the strangler fig, Sallie.
The really-is-a-snake really is a camera critter, too. LOL
This part of Alberta is the third place I've lived where people say there are lots of rattlesnakes. The other two were the town where I grew up in BC, and the town where I lived before I moved to Alberta. I can only remember seeing one rattler, and it was roadkill.
K

[Tatjana Parkacheva]

Amazing roots.
I like that photo.

Regards and best wishes

[Boom & Gary]

Interesting post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

[Michelle]

That is a big snake..interesting about the fig..is it native there?

[heyBJK]

That Strangler Fig is very cool looking! I've never heard of it before. It does look rather snake-ish.

[Barb]

Watch your step, Sallie! I like the looks of those roots.

[NatureFootstep]

I read once that teh fig tree can still stand when the "host" tree has molten away compleately. Very fascinating.

[Leora]

Hm, the tree looks like it is going to be strangled! I've read that ivy often strangles trees.

[Stewart M - Australia]

Hi there - your post made me realise that I have not seen a snake yet this summer - must be a first!

Love the strangler fig.

Stewart M - Melbourne.

PS: we have had the best part of an inch and half of rain here this week - looks like the 'steady diet of gorgeous blue skies' may be over for a while!

[Jenny]

Hn... I certainly know which one I would prefer to turn around and see behind me! :D

[eileen]

That looks like a huge snake. The fig tree is new to me, so thanks for sharing the information. Thanks for sharing, have a happy Sunday!

[Red Nomad OZ]

I'll take the strangler fig, thanx!!! Got both those downunder - and I know which one I'd pick if I had the choice!!

[Carver]

Great shots of the not snake and the actual snake. I've thought I was looking at a thick vine before until it moved and I realized it was a snake. Snakes often are well camouflaged in nature.