Mirador El Tabonal Negro

The landscape at Mirador del Tabonal Negro that can be seen is quite flat and is made up of a spectacular sea of lava made of obsidian rocks and others of a blackish color. The lava accumulates on the mouth of the volcano and increases in volume, while the crust cools and solidifies. Finally, flow down the slope breaking the crust in a chaos of blocks that this spectacular landscape offers.

It is curious that in this area there is an endemic plant of the Teide National Park that is in danger of extinction because it was the favorite food for cattle about 30 years ago: The Red Tajinaste. Thus, from the management of the Park, its collection was prohibited, the species has been gradually recovering. The tajinaste life cycle is as follows: The plant consists of a basal rosette, which in its first years of life are only leaves that grow in groups very close to the ground. The inflorescence occurs when it reaches maturity, which will allow it to reach 2 meters in height and which is covered with the striking intense red flowers. At the end of its flowering, a skeleton remains, which will last several years in the landscape. In their late spring and early summer flowering season, they provide a reddish appearance that contrasts with the environment in which they are found. This plant stands out for its beautiful inflorescence of bright red flowers. The fauna that inhabits this area of the Mirador del Tabonal Negro is insect-like. Among all of them we highlight the praying mantis, a solitary species with nocturnal habits. It measures approximately four centimeters and its color allows it to blend in and go unnoticed by all the predators that are nearby, such as spiders and other insects.