Volcanoes are one the planet’s most dangerous forces, yet some animals have adapted and are thriving in these treacherous environments.
Some animals thrive near volcanoes due to the lack of predators and nutrient-rich soil. Swipe right to know more.
Lesser flamingo: Around the Ol Donyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania live over 2 million lesser flamingos. Their feathers are mostly pink in color due to constantly dining on pigmented algae called spirulina.
Thermophiles: They are basically microorganisms. They live under horrifically hot conditions. The thermophile’s known to stroll casually through 252 degrees of heat.
Galapagos land iguanas: They adapt and thrive on Fernandina Island, the most active and pristine of the Galapagos volcanoes.
Vampire ground finch: Vampire ground finches on Wolf Island in the Galapagos face food and water scarcity during droughts, causing population decreases of up to 90%.
The Fish of Death: Hawaiian Blackfoot limpet, known as the 'fish of death', clings so firmly to rocks that divers attempting to pry it off have drowned. They are found near active volcanoes in the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park.
Martinique Volcanic Frog: Despite massive eruptions on Mount Pelee, the Martinique Volcanic frog survives in deep crevices, but climate change threatens its existence and pushes it to higher areas.
Tube Worms: These deep-sea creatures are found near hydrothermal vents, which are often associated with volcanic activity.