PLANET EARTH Seasonal Forests

Tropical Madagascar（热带地区马达加斯加）. The wet season. It's now that the baobab（猴面包树） trees regrow their leaves and collect water to store in their huge trunks, ready for the dry season ahead. The prehistoric（史前的） shape of these trees is rightly famous but few have ever witnessed the baobab's real magic for that happens at night and high in the treetops. Flush with water, the baobab prepares itself for an unforgettable display.



Once started the foot long flowers can open fully in less than a minute. As the flowers open, the creatures of the seasonal forest wake. The mouse lemurs have been hibernating throughout the dry season. With the return of rains it's time to get busy. A dozen share this tree hole, but there's plenty of room. The world's smallest primate is no bigger than your hand. High in the branches above, the baobab's nectar is starting to flow.



A drink of this sugary energy packed liquid is an ideal way for the lemurs to start their day. Liquid oozes from the flower's center and trickles down the petals. But the nectar is not intended for lemurs（狐猴）. These giant hawk moths are the drinkers the tree needs to attract. As they sip, moving from tree to tree, so they transfer pollen（花粉） and fertilize the flowers.