If alligators are the keystone animal species of Everglades National Park, the pond apple might be the keystone plant species, or at least one of them. Pond apple trees form islands in the waters they inhabit, protected places for nesting birds like anhingas, ormorants, egrets and herons. In a sense, the water around them becomes a kind of moat, an alligator-filled moat at that. Land-based predators like raccoons aren't likely to risk their lives in order grab a quick snack. Woe unto any youngins' that might fall into the water, however. We've seen it happen with juvenile anhingas, strong enough and bold enough to wander beyond their nest, but too weak to swim for very long if they hit the water. And there isn't anything mom or dad can do but watch it drown.
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NEXT STOP: Rare Rock Pineland Habitat
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