Animals in the Mangrove Forest

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The mangrove forests harbor a rich diversity of animals, many of which have developed specialized forms and behavior that enabled them to thrive in this unique ecosystem.

crab-eating macaque, mangrove forest, mangrove trees, mangrove swamp, primates
Crab-eating Macaque

Large herbivores are rare in mangrove forest, except for mammals like the Proboscis Monkey that feeds on the leaves of the mangrove trees.  Although the leaves are unpalatable to most creatures, these primates have specialized digestive system with multiple chambers and filled with symbiotic bacteria for extracting the nutrient. The more widespread Crab-eating Macaque, as its name suggests, feeds on crustacean like crabs and have developed the ability to swim, a useful skill in this environment.

mudskipper, mudflats, mangrove forest, mangrove ecosystem
Mudskipper

In Southeast Asia, among the animals in the mangrove forest that stand out from the rest are the mudskippers. They look like an oversized tadpole with modified pectoral fins that help them crawl on the mud. Lively and territorial in nature, they’re often seen facing off each other as they fight over territory, or feeding on various smaller creatures. Some species feed on algae by picking up mud using their mouth and expelling it after the algae are extracted.

fiddler crab, mangrove forest, mudflats, detrivore, detritus
Fiddler Crab

Fiddler Crab also frequents in and on the mud of mangrove forest. A detrivore, it feeds on detritus, or simply put dead organic material like fallen leaves. As the tide comes in, the crab will return to their burrow, which not only provide shelter from the water but also help bring in oxygen to the soil.

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