Fauna
Plant

Red Mangrove

Rhizophora mangle

Also known as American Mangrove, Walking Tree

Red mangroves anchor fragile tropical coasts with an intricate matrix of arching stilt roots that buffer shorelines against destructive storm surges and coastal erosion. Their glossy leaves filter out salt at the root level, allowing them to thrive in hyper-saline intertidal waters where few other trees can survive. Submerged root tangles create a vital sheltered nursery for juvenile reef fish, crabs, and invertebrates.

CoastalEvergreenSalt-Tolerant
Red Mangrove reference1 / 7
(c) James St. John, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyEstuarine sediment nutrients, Sunlight, Water
Predators
  • Mangrove crabs
  • Boring isopods
  • Caterpillars
ThreatsCoastal development, ocean warming, severe storms, aquaculture conversion
HabitatsCoastal estuaries, intertidal zones, mangrove swamps, sheltered bays
Life span50–100 years
Classification
  1. OrderMalpighiales
  2. FamilyRhizophoraceae
  3. GenusRhizophora
  4. SpeciesRhizophora mangle
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Recognized by high arching prop roots standing directly in salt water and long, hanging green propagules.
Support conservation
Avoid cutting roots or snagging low-hanging branches when kayaking through estuarine channels.
Responsible observation
  • Navigation: Explore mangrove channels by kayak or paddleboard to navigate shallow waters without disrupting prop roots.
  • Identification: Look for arching stilt roots branching off the main trunk into intertidal sediment.
Related species
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