4-hr date on 19 March with the Smooth Otters

I must have walked up and down the main bridge of SBWR more than 30 times on the morning of 19th March. That approximate 300m displacement from the main entrance is all I managed during the 4-hr trip, pretty much because of the stalking of our endearing Smooth Otters (Lutrogale perpicillata).

Quite perfect timing, the gang of 4 swam towards the main bridge just as we were crossing it. One of them showed off their multitasking skill by yawning and swimming at the same time. No wonder, it was barely 8am in the morning. I was yawning and walking at the same time too. =)

3 of them frolick around the area for a short while, catching fishes while waiting for a member who has lagged behind to catch up.

As they walked ashore, they disappeared behind the mangrove plants. So, why did the otter cross the road/ path?

Because they love to enjoy a hearty breakfast at the prawn pond! With the otters swimming back and forth, and round and round the prawn pond, the 3 of us (the human beings) walked up and down the path, following the direction in which they were swimming (the otters) towards.

While I have never been a big fan of fishes (as a food source), I must say the manner in which the otter feasts on really made the sashimi seemed really yummy. The crunchy sound, coupled with the the otter's enthusiasm and look of satisfaction, gave me second thoughts on whether I'm missing out on some gourmet food!

I was secretly pleased to note that I'm not the only lazy bum in the world! What's best after a full stomach? A nap! shiok only if you lie on your back, spread all paws out, and basically couldnt care less about the spinning world. I, need to learn (about taking it easy that is, not the sleeping posture).

Amazing how we can spent another 1hr+ at the freshwater pond, of course with lots of action from the otters, which I will leave to the next post. =P

In summary, they played hard, the rested, and they performed (or so I think).

Near noon, these otters were STILL at it! Talk about having enormous amount of energy! They must have gotten a little bored with each other, one started gnawing at the cat tail! Not sure it its for play, or for a good reason, but for sure, its something that I wouldnt imagine the authorities to be very pleased with.

Even as the afternoon crowd started to gather, these otters didnt seem bothered with the buzz! Hopefully they won't get so used to human beings that they let their guard down.

The sighting of the Estuarine Crocodule (Crocodylus porosus) must have been the happiest for, ahem, my pseudo daughter. Its her first time meeting these reptiles wild in our reserves! It was quite hilarious how she was still wondering why we were busy snapping photos away, not realising the crocodile's presence. I wouldnt blame her because the still crocodile looks just like a log in water, and part sometimes part of the mangrove plant (trunk) on land.

Being cold blooded, it is not uncommon to see them basking in the sun on a bright sunny morning. This act allows it to regulate its body temperature using the warmth from our natural source of energy.

While it is the largest of all living reptiles, the Estuarine Crocodile that can grow up to 8m in length is seen to be no longer than 3m in our reserves. Although ferocious, these crocodiles have plenty of fishes to feast on in the reserve, they do not pose as a danger to human beings, unless provoked and threatened, of course.

It was interesting to note how the crocodile changed its position when the tide was rising. It looked pretty much like a helpless soul, stranded on an island, soon to be drown! Can't quite happen, because they swim fairly well!

*HELP!*

We left the reserve for a good meal of Ramen, not sashimi at Holland Village, before continuing the day's adventure at Pasir Ris mangroves! Its been a long while since I last visited, but I realised I didnt take many photos! 

I havent seen the Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) for a long while! We must be quite luckily, because this heron is primarily more active at twilight. A locally endangered species due to loss of nesting sites and chemical (pesticide) poisoning, it lives mainly in mangroves or near water bodies with plenty of fishes.

One of the highlights of the trip has to be my second encounter with a 'crocodile'!  It was my first meeting with Bruguiera hainesii, whose Malay name means 'crocodile's eyes'.

The bashing through of the forest was all worthwhile, for the cigar-like propagule, and pretty flowers!

Although the weather didnt hold up, and we were caught in a heavy downpour towards the end of the trip, it was still a really fun outing. Definitely a great way to spent my annual leave day!

To the Magical Mangroves of Mandai

An entry from the Diary of Pobby the House Gnome.

8am, 7 March 2010 - Weather: Fine

Pobby's back is aching now from all the forward bending. Kept having to dig out Mistress (Jiamione)'s lousy booties from the ground as it was stuck in mud every other step.

Pobby followed mistress and her friends (maiden trip for most of them) to the magical grounds of Mandai this morning. At platform ten and one quarter, we met Prof Luanbledore and her nature-loving friends.
 

We missed the Mandai's express, and had to take a short walk to a special opening to enter the Mangroves.
 

Before our eyes stood some tall and mighty mangrove trees - many many times taller than Mistress. Pobby learnt that the mangrove habitat is a very harsh environment to live in. There is high salt content in the environment; the soil is soft and is low in oxygen content. Pobby definitely won't be able to survive in such an environment, unlike the mangrove plants who have special adaptations.

The mangroves are important because it is the home for many many marine animals, such as mud crabs, tiger prawns etc which Pobby loves to eat. Pobby is sad to hear that we have lost much of this habitat to urban development. Without their home, the marine animals will die, and Pobby will have not have crabs to eat. =(

Pobby has never experienced a tsunami, but was told that the mangroves act as a protective shield for coastal areas as they help to reduce the impact of the huge waves.

note: thats not Mistress - thats Mistress's friend, Rowdy from Nature school

Pobby learnt about three main groups of mangrove trees - Rhizophora spp., Bruguiera spp. and Avicennia spp. today. Incidentally, the names of the species sounded like the magic spells that Mistress practises everyday.

1) One species of Rhizophora spp. (a.k.a Bakau) is Rhizophora apiculata. This is one of the most common species found in the local ecosystem. They are easily identified by their prop roots that helps anchor the tree in the unstable mangrove mud. The roots not only helps the tree to breathe, but also has a filter that can exclude salt from the water it takes in.

Pobby likes Bakau because its timber makes excellent firewood and charcoal! (Pobby loves BBQ!). It is also an excellent source of wood as it is naturally straight, strong and is resistent to insects and salt water.

2a) Presenting *raises wand* Bruguiera Gymnorhiza of Bruguiera spp. - another main group of mangrove tress locally. These mangrove trees cope with the low oxygen content by having lateral roots that grow just below the surface of the mud. Some parts of the roots stick out of the mud and looks just like Pobby's knees! These exposed roots help to absorb oxygen better.

2b) Another species of the Bruguiera spp. is the *raise wand again* Bruguiera Cylindrica which has small white flowers which are pollinated by insects such as butterflies. Pobby thinks that the sepals of the fruit that curves backwards towards the fruit stalk looks just like an Octopus.

3) Avicennia spp. is another group of mangrove trees that Pobby saw today. Also known as Api-api, this group has an extensive root system that spans many metres below the mud surface, and sticks out of the mud vertically. These breathing roots looks like the pencils that Mistress uses in school. The leaves of the Api-api has salt glands to secrete salt. The salt crystals are then left behind on the leaves after evaporation. Pobby now knows where to look for free salt when it runs out in the kitchen!

Here is Avicennia Alba with leaves that are white and waxy on the underside to reduce water loss. Pobby really likes the small yellow pretty flowers of Avicennia Alba.

Prof Luanbledore and friends were very excited to find the Mangrove Lime (Merope angulata)! This is because the Mangrove Lime is a rather rare mangrove associate locally. Pobby is really lucky to be able to see it personally. The plant was fruiting too! Pobby was too scared to try the fruits which are said to be sour.

Appearing in the middle of the path, this Mangrove St Andrew's Spider (Argiope mangal) gave Pobby a scare. The female spider spins an orb web which contains 2 zig zag bands. The male spider,usually much smaller in size, can be found on the web but Pobby's eyes are not sharp enough to spot them.

Pobby also saw 2 Mangrove Horseshoe Crabs (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda), who seem to be pairing up. Pobby is impressed with Horseshoe crabs because they have lived over 400 million years! Although called 'crabs', they are actually more related to scorpions and spiders. Pobby was told that one reason why they can survived for so long is due to their special blood which is blue in colour when oxygenated and has the ability to detect bacteria! The blood clots immediately when in contact with bacteria.

This horseshoe crab has lots of barnacles growing on its back - which reminds Pobby of the times when she has to carry sacks of rice on her back - must be heavy for the horseshoe crab?

Pobby was just complaining that everything on the ground looks dull with all that brown, and was most happy to see the Face-banded Crab (Perisesarma eumolpe). These crabs wears a bright band across its face, looking just like some tribal people.

Although it was a tiring trip for Pobby, Pobby still hopes to have a chance to return to Magical Mangroves of Mandai again (next time round, Pobby will remind Mistress to wear better booties). More importantly, may the magic powers help the mangroves overcome the development plans of he-who-must-not-be-named.