Natural History Notes

A praying mantis in camouflage. Predatory insect like the praying mantis also relies on camouflage to catch its prey. Their colors and venation can almost perfectly match leaves, twigs and even flowers, rendering themselves difficult to discern among the vegetation. Related Post Insect Camouflage: Grasshopper

The Broadbills (Family Eurylaimidae) are generally colorful and stout bodied birds, with relatively broad and somewhat flattened bill. In the lowland rainforest of Southeast Asia, they mainly inhabit the middle and lower storey. Arthropods makes up a large portion of their diet, but some species like the Green Broadbill ( Calyptonema viridis ) also feed on fruits like those of Macaranga and  Ficus . Black and Red Broadbill Their nest is unique among rainforest birds in the region−a bulky globular structure made of various plant materials with a small chamber inside, suspended from a branch by plant fibers strong enough to support its weight. Black and Yellow Broadbill Broadbills are a type of “primitive” passerines, or also known as Suboscine because their syringes or vocal organs are much simpler than the other passerines, namely the Oscines. Nonetheless, they are quite vocal, and their voices are loud, attractive and can be use for identification.  The Bla...

This is the most commonly encountered vipers in the rainforest, usually seen laying still on low branches in the understorey. Wagler’s Pit Viper ( Tropidolaemus wagleri ) is a beautiful venomous snake with a docile disposition for it seldom attempt to bite. The effect of the venom is comparatively mild to humans and most bites lead to localized swelling and not fatal. In the island of Penang at the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, they are left freely within a temple, thus their different name−Temple Snake. Adult Wagler's Pit Viper Thick bodied, dark green to almost black above and yellow below, adult Wagler’s Pit Viper can reach up to a meter in length. The much slenderer juvenile has different coloration with lighter green above dotted regularly with white and reddish spots, which contrast with the white underparts, and a distinct reddish line runs across its eyes. Juvenile Wagler's Pit Viper The name pit viper refers to the heat sensing organs locate...

The bug shot in the video is a firefly larva, and it is most likely of the order Lampyridae. Like adult firely, the larvae are capable of emiting light. This fascinating ability has baffled scientists and naturalists for a long time. However, most of them agree that it serves as a warning to potential predator-a clear message that they are unpalatable. The firefly larvae are themselves predator, feeding on arthropods such as snails and slugs. The Lampyridae larvae firstly discharge digestive enzyme into their prey, which will paralyze and digest them, and then the larvae consume the digested prey.

An adult Dusky Langur with young Aside from the typical primate characteristics, langurs have some features that distinguished them from other primates in Southeast Asia such as their very long tail and somewhat slender appearance. The Dusky Langur is an old world primate inhabiting the tropical rainforest. They are recognized by the white markings around the eyes and over mouth. The young, in contrast, is largely bright orange in colour. Like many animals of the rainforest, they have specialized diet. In case of langurs, their food comprised mainly of leaves, and it is for these reason they are also known as leaf monkey. The Dusky Langur also feed on shoots that they eat directly from the branch or twig of the rainforest trees.

Plantain Squirrel The Plantain Squirrel is a common mammal of the rainforest. This  small mammal has a rufous belly with black and buff lines on flanks. The bushy tail has a rufous tinge at the tip. Plainain Squirrel is regularly seen feeding on bark of the rainforest plants. But it also takes fruits, including cultivated ones. It is usually seen singly, or sometimes in pair. A very active and agile squirrel, it climb trees and jumping among branches of the rainforest trees with ease.

Draco lizards is one of the most amazing animals in the rainforest. Found in the rainforest of Southeast Asia, Draco lizards are notable for its ability to "fly", or more accurately described as gliding from tree to tree. It could do by using a flap of skin on each side of its body - also known as patagia, that can be erected as to turn into some form of "wings" so it can leap then glide acros the forest trees. Largely arboreal, this rainforest's lizard feeds mainly on ants and termites on the tree trunk. However, in order to lay eggs, the female has to come down to the ground where she dig a hole with her snout and lay her eggs in it. Another futures of this gliding lizard is a flap of skin under the throat of males that can be erected. In some individuals it is brightly coloured, and serves as communication purpose to ward off potential intruders or competing males.

The Green Crested Lizard is quite common in wooded areas throughout this region. This attractive Agamid lizard has a  jagged crest on its neck and a relatively long tail. It is usually detected as it falls from branches or leap across the forest trail from tree to tree. This particular individual sunning itself in the afternoon near a stream, probably to thermo-regulate its body temperature since it is a cold blooded animal. Noteworthy that sun-basking behaviour of reptiles is also crucial in order to acquire vitamin D.