Friday, May 29, 2009
Well, at the end of the seashore trip,
(collecting organisms and returning them back to where they came from)
we saw two different birds.
we were very lucky!
We saw a collared kingfisher and a chicken.
This picture was taken from http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/text/2118.htm as the picture i've taken was not clear.
The Collared kingfisher resides all year round in coastal parks and gardens.Its loud and harsh laughing call is one of the more distinctive sounds in the mangroves. It feeds on fish, lizards, frogs, crabs and insects.
done by: Charis Kay
Environmentalist Blogged:6:07 AM
On the second day of the trip to Pasir Ris Seashore,
we saw a mangrove slug.
There are more than 15 species in several genera of shell-less mangrove slugs all over Singapore mangroves, burrowing in the mud, on the forest floor, under wood and even climbing trees!Species identification is difficult, requiring an examination of the texture and features on the dorsal and ventral surface, and even the arrangement of internal organs! Hence they are often referred to collectively as 'Onchs' - which means lump! (Onchidium is the Latinised derivation of the Greek word for 'little lump'!).
done by: Charis
Environmentalist Blogged:5:26 AM
Friday, May 15, 2009
Tree-climbing / Vinegar crab first day of trip ( mangroves ) ,,
we saw tree climbing crabs !
They lived in mounts made by the mud lobsters (
below).
They are sized from 4-5 cm.
They are primarily leaf-eaters and are known as pests of mangrove plantations for their habit of attacking propagules. They will also scavenge meat like many other crabs. The Teochew are known to pickle this crab in black sauce with vinegar, and take it with porridge (
so they call them vinegar crabs (: ) .
Extra knowledge :
Of the three species found in Singapore, the Violet vinegar crab (E. versicolor) is one of the most common species, with a distinctive violet palm and the fingers white-tipped. It prefers the seaward part of the mangroves.
Mud LobsterWe did not get to see the mud lobster at the mangroves D:
They hide under 2 m of the mud mount and are rarely seen.
They are up to 30cm.
The mud lobster is a very important member of the mangrove ecosystem. It excavates extensive catacombs, bringing the mud to the surface and forming characteristic volcano-like mounds which form a topographically distinct zone next to the back mangrove.
As we wrote earlier, the mud mounds are homes for the tree-climbing animals. Other animals also live in the mounds so the mud lobster really is important.
Mud lobsters feed on organic matter in the mud, and for this reason, they are not popular as food although they are eaten.
courtesy of
http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/text/2064.htmYUME :D
Environmentalist Blogged:12:10 AM
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thank you for visiting our blog (: ,
from today onwards, we will be posting about the creatures and plants we've seen at PasirRis Park ( seashore & mangrove ) as a project work.
We hope that you gain knowledge about the livingcreatures &
try looking out for them when you go to the beach next time.
Lastly, please save all these creatures by not littering into the beach.
YUME :D
Environmentalist Blogged:11:50 PM
Tree-climbing / Vinegar crab 
