Why do only flamingos survive in salt lakes? The concentration of salt and alkali in the lake is so strong that most animals and birds that accidentally fall into the water can die. The exception is small flamingos: for these birds, ideal conditions for breeding are created here. The high water temperature, reaching 50 ° C in shallow places, allows flamingos to incubate their eggs at any time of the year. And the unpleasant smell emanating from the lake scares off predators and prevents them from getting close to the nests.