Status: Native Habitat: Secondary and disturbed habitats where it seems to have adapted to quite well. Seems to be less abundant in primary forests as well! Natural Diet: Rats, mice and some amphibians especially the Asian Toad (probably why it is also found near residential areas) Territoriality: Not territorial, generally harmless if left alone Sociality: … Continue reading Equatorial Spitting Cobra!
Clouded Monitor (Varanus nebulosus), observed digging and foraging for food in the soil. Image was taken in Hindhede Nature Park. Often mistaken for its much larger cousin, the Komodo Monitor (the reactions are truly hilarious sometimes), the Clouded Monitor is one of the three monitor species that can be found here in Singapore. All three … Continue reading Clouded Monitors!
Herps: Reptiles and amphibians Herpetology: The study of reptiles and amphibians Herps play a fundamental role in ecosystems, being both predators and prey in the food chain. But did you know that they provide numerous services for humans too? For example, Reticulated Pythons provide biological control for rats. Common House Geckos also help keep our … Continue reading BFF Challenge: Herp Herp, Hooray!
This was an amazing experience at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve with a dedicated and knowledgeable tour guide accompanying us to share his knowledge on the flora and fauna found here. For once, I could be "one with nature", away from the usual skyscraper-filled, highly modernized city landscape in Singapore. Not only did I get to … Continue reading Sungei Buloh Nature Walk 🙂
If there are no mangroves, then the sea will have no meaning. It’s like a tree with no roots, for the mangroves are the roots of the sea! Mad-Ha Ranwasii, a Thai fisherman and village headman, 1992. Muddy...Moist... Mundane...; Mangroves were never eye-catching to me. This trip to SBWR really hit me hard that mangroves … Continue reading Mangroves Matters
When I saw the title of the activity, I had zero idea of what we're going to do exactly as I never participated in any habitat enhancement activity before. We were told to bring garden gloves (if we have it) so one could only guess. The targetted area for enhancement was relatively far from where … Continue reading An energy-draining morning indeed
21st March 2020 0900h: We got our gloves on and were given a brief introduction to when the reforestation efforts begun. Within less than 10 minutes, all the volunteers began to pull at the weeds, as instructed. It surprised me that it was it was deemed as beneficial, and even important that we would pull … Continue reading Kids, treasure your mature forests…
This trip was more rewarding than I have anticipated. In the past, I have also trekked in other Singapore's nature reserves; however, I did not take away and spot as much life in the reserve than I did on this walk. Having our tour guide, Ivan, and our field trip IC, Lesley, be our "eye" … Continue reading SBWR Walk Field Trip
Before this, my knowledge of the plants we have in our secondary forests remained as that—knowledge. It was much limited to the identification of common species we see along the Green Corridor or in our nature parks, but I didn’t really give much thought into it. After all, they were just trees, shrubs and climbers. … Continue reading A morning in Chestnut Nature Park
When I first saw this program on the list, I did not know what to expect until I went to search more about it. Habitat enhancement (also known as forest restoration) is an ongoing effort that aims to manage and improve the living conditions of the native plants. 14th March 2020: Upon arriving, we were … Continue reading Habitat Enhancement @ Chestnut Nature Park
BFF Biodiversity Challenge 2020 