Their sound, combined with their persistent biting behavior, is one of the less pleasant sensory experiences of a Roraima summit visit, though it is, from a biological perspective, just as much a part of the summit ecosystem as the carnivorous plants.

Wind on the summit can be intense when weather systems move through.

The exposure of the plateau to prevailing winds, unbroken by any higher terrain nearby, means that wind gusts during storm events can be significant.

The combination of wind, rain, and low temperatures can produce conditions that feel severe even in a tropical latitude — a reminder that altitude and exposure can create genuinely challenging conditions even near the equator.

The Rivers Born From Stone