Natural History Notes

Smooth-coated Otter Larger than the common Oriental Small-clawed Otter, the Smooth-coated Otter ( Lutrogale perspicillata ) can reach over 40 inches in length and weighs up to 20 pounds. It also has a wider geographical distribution, found from India to parts of Indo-China, and down to peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. Its common name hints to its smooth, almost velvety looking fur which shines in bright sunlight. This species is well adapted for semi aquatic lifestyle with its webbed feet and somewhat flatted tail to propel itself in the water. It favors large rivers far inland where it may be spotted swimming close to river banks, but it had been recorded in coastal waters too.

The Gold-whiskered Barbet is perhaps the most ubiquitous and among the largest barbet in the region, reaching almost 12 inches in length. It inhabits various kinds of wooded areas in the lowlands like primary and secondary forest, plantations and orchards. Like most barbets of the old world, this species is primarily green, with various colorful patches on its head. It owes its name to the large yellow patch on its cheek which can aid identification from a distance. Gold-whiskered Barbet excavating nesting hole. Barbets have zygodactyl feet, two toes point forward and the remaining two point backward--similar to the woodpeckers. This is anatomical adaptation is clearly useful for the Gold-whiskered Barbet to cling onto vertical surface during nest building. This species had been observed excavating it owns nest cavity using its strong bill as well as taking over the nest of woodpeckers. Gold-whiskered Barbet on a fruiting tree. Despite its large size, the Gold-whis...

Little Egret ( Egretta garzetta ) is one of the smaller white egrets in this region, easily distinguished from other similar species by their relatively slender black bill and legs. It is almost always associated with waters, often seen waiting for prey in shallow waters, or wading and picking food off the water’s surface and occasionally dashes in pursuit of its prey. The Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) appears similar, but it is stockier with yellow bill and tend to be found in dryland habitat as well as habitually perch on trees in large numbers.

Many of us are familiar with web spinning spiders like the orb weaver spider , which uses its elaborately constructed web to trap prey. However, like other predators, spiders have developed a variety of hunting techniques to catch prey. A crab spider capturing a bee. The crab spider for example, often lays waiting for their unsuspecting prey, usually inside a flower or sometimes inside a partly folded young leave. It has the additional advantage of being well camouflage for its body color matches its surrounding. A species of crab spider that habitually stays waiting inside the flower of Urena lobata , for instance, has the pinkish coloration of the flower as well. They are called crab spider for their crab-like leg arrangement as well as their sideways movement. Although tiny, this arachnid is capable of capturing prey much larger than itself like bees and flies. A huntsman spider in a house. In contrast, other group of spiders such as the jumping spider and hunts...

The Colubrid is a large family of snake found almost in all continents. Some species are only a few inches long, whereas other may reach over a few meters in length. In forested habitat, these snakes inhabit the trees or the ground, and some species live near water and in caves. Small creatures like rats, bats and insects are part of their diet. Because snakes belonging the family Colubridae are non-venomous snakes, they are harmless to man, however, a number of species have toxic saliva harmful to their prey. Red-Tailed Rat Snake This family is further subdivided into several groups like the rat snakes and the bronzeback tree snakes. The Red-Tailed Rat Snake ( Gonyosoma oxycephalum) , for example, is striking green with yellowish belly, dark eye-line and bluish-black tongue. It derives its name from its reddish tail tip. Some people keep this snake as a pet because of it beautiful coloration. Painted Bronzeback Slenderer than the previous species is the Painted Br...

White-throated Kingfisher, aka White-breasted Kingfisher The White-throated Kingfisher ( Halcyon smyrnensis ) is also known as White-breasted Kingfisher because some populations have the white patch on its throat extend down to the breast. Typical of kingfishers, this bird has a large bill in comparison to its body size with short neck and legs. The bill is red in adults, but young individuals may have duller colored bill. In flight, the white patch on its wing is very conspicuous. White-throated Kingfisher habitually sits on open perch. A common bird in the region, this medium size kingfisher (~25cm) is one of those birds often seen around human habitation. It also inhabits open countryside, shrubs, ponds and rivers. One of the main reason for its adaptability is its variable diet that consist of insects, small reptiles like lizards and snakes, as well as fish. Unlike many species of kingfisher which dive into the water to catch fish, the White-throated kingfisher ...

In the rainforest, water strider, which belongs to the family Gerridae in the order Hemiptera , inhabits damp habitat like streams especially near the banks. Most water striders are large insects with elongated body, long and slender legs, and large eyes visible up close. The middle legs mainly help the water strider move on the water surface and the front ones are use to handle prey. A water strider can "walk " on water. Aside from visual cues, water strider or also known as water skater, detects prey in the water via vibration. It feeds on its prey tissues fluid using piercing-sucking mouthparts with the help of strong digestive enzyme. However, water striders are themselves food for other animals like fishes, birds and frogs. For this reason, they have drab coloration that helps them avoid predators. Rainforest streams are suitable habitat for water striders. Scientists have long known that water tension partly explains how water striders walk on water. How...

                The Spotted Dove, a popular pet bird, is noted for its melodious cooing song tu-koo-kurr .

Dollarbird habitually sits on high, exposed vantage point. Dollarbird ( Erystomus orientalis ) derived their name from the white patch on the underside of  the wing that resembles the silver dollar coin. In parts of Southeast Asia, they are known by what is literally translated into English as "Stone Myna", presumably due to their close resemblance to many mynas in the area - overall blackish with contrasting orange or yellow bill.  Dollarbird is also referred as the Oriental Roller. Indeed, Dollarbird belongs to the Roller Family (Coraciidae), which in turn gets its name from the birds rolling display flight. 

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.