2. Remarkable Protective Mechanism
The most remarkable aspect of the snake fruit is its amazing natural armor-like external defence system, which shields the valuable flesh inside. Hundreds of well aligned, overlapping scales set in an elaborate geometric design on the brown, scaly epidermis produce an almost impervious barrier against possible hazards. Actually modified leaves, these scales have evolved over millions of years under natural selection to offer optimum protection while preserving the fruit's capacity for breathing and appropriate development. These scales' construction is a wonder of natural engineering, with several layers of strong, fibrous tissue resisting punctures and tearing while nevertheless allowing the fruit to develop in flexibility. Various kinds of snake fruit show different ways and configurations of these scales; some show tighter, more compact designs while others show looser, more widely spaced patterns. Excellent example of nature's creative responses to survival difficulties, this amazing adaptation has allowed the snake fruit to flourish in many tropical settings and resist the difficulties of transportation and storage.
