Mammals Spotted at Kaeng Krachan

During my time in the hide by the Kaeng Krachan forest, I had the pleasure of spotting quite a few mammals alongside the beautiful birds!

There were plenty of striped squirrels running around.

I couldn’t help but notice the grey-bellied squirrels leaping from branch to branch all over the place.

I also saw some northern treeshrews,

and I was thrilled to catch a glimpse of the lesser mousedeer out and about during the day.

But the highlight of my adventure? Spotting the pig-tailed macaque, the largest mammal I’ve encountered here so far! What an amazing experience!

Sulawesi Dwarf Squirrel: A Unique Species of Indonesia

One of the creatures that always confuse me when detecting for birds are squirrels. One of the method that I use to detect birds are through movements or activities. In Tangkoko, Sulawesi Dwarf Squirrel is one that always give me a false detection of birds.

The Sulawesi dwarf squirrel (Prosciurillus murinus) is endemic to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. It primarily inhabits tropical rainforests and mountainous regions, thriving in environments ranging from lowland to higher elevations.

This species is small in size, with adults typically measuring around 30 to 40 cm in length, including a bushy tail that is nearly as long as its body. Its fur is soft and dense, often displaying a rich brown coloration with lighter underparts, providing excellent camouflage within its forested habitat.

The Sulawesi dwarf squirrel is primarily herbivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and nuts. Its role as a seed disperser is crucial for maintaining the health of its ecosystem, facilitating forest regeneration.

These squirrels are generally solitary. 

They are diurnal, active during the day, and are known for their agility in climbing trees and jumping between branches.

Otters & Fish Pt 3

After a satisfying meal, is time to go on shore to mark their territory and doing sand bath. 

The mamma otter take the lead by swimming towards the shore.

The babies follow behind.

The otter mark their territory once they are on shore.

Apparently this sand bath behavior is quite common among mammals and also birds. 

Some use sand, some using mud such as elephant & buffalo.

It is believed that animals do that for several reasons.

Either to prevent from insect bites and also helps to remove parasites from their skin.

Now that I seen them do the sand bath and marking of territory, it will be easier for me to look for them again. 😃

Where else can we observe wild otters doing their things right in the middle of highly urbanised city?

No wonder some news channel called it a very special and uniquely Singapore experience...

Otters and Fish Pt 2

With the fish out of water, I can have a good look at the size of the fish...is so huge!!! No wondwer the otter couldn't finish by itself.

The mother otter temporarily keep the fish at the erosion prevention barrier while waiting for the arrival of her babies.

I was too concentrate with the mamma otter and didn't realise where the babies came from.

Two babies came forward and take turn to have their portion.

Look at the baby otter, is so cute.

While the babies is having their meal, the mamma otter is relaxing and stretching and at the same time keep an eye on them.

Otters and Fish

Whether you are local or tourist on holiday in Singapore, is always a good thing to be able to meet Singapore celebrity otters up close. Singapore otters had lately appears in many news channel and media. Is really unusual to see wild otters running around in highly urbanised Singapore.

I am so happy when I saw splashes in the water. Very high chance that the otter is in action and yes, the otter's head pop up from the water.

From the splashes, this could be a big fish that caught by this otter.

Just the look at the dorsal fins, this fish easily measured more than 50cm in length.

After some struggle, the otter managed to secured his meal. The head of the fish is as big as the otter! Possibly a Giant Gourami (Osphronemus goramy).

The otter start eating from the soft part of the fish which is the belly.

The fish is too big to finish by itself and from time to time, the otter will stop eating and make some call. Perhaps calling for her babies?

Due to the size and weight, is really quite hard to handle the fish and eat at the same time in deeper water.

The otter move the fish to shallower place. The size of the fish is as big as the otter!

The otter continue to enjoy her big meal in the shallower water.

My Big 5 + 1 of Masai Mara

In Africa, Big Five originally refers to 5 most difficult animals to hunt on foot. They are lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo.

Different people will have their own different "Big Five". I have my own interpretation of Big 5 too. They, to me are the interesting animals for their behavior shown or their activities.

Yes. Lion is my #1. Every time when the boss is feeding or eating. There will be some uninvited "friends" that will follow behind but keep a distance. When there are bits and pieces that left behind by the boss, they will pick it up. This jackal is following the lion every move but keep a distance and patiently wait for the free lunch.

#2 - The Leopard.

Just the stares from this animal is enough send chills down my spine. Beautiful yet illusive animals to observe.

#3 - Elephant

African elephant is bigger than the one I saw in Borneo, the Borneo Pygmy elephants. However, is this cute little baby elephant that won my heart. Don't you agree? This baby elephant is so curious about our presence and try to sniff us to see if we are friend or foe. Since we are at the headwind position, no luck for this baby elephant.

#4 - The Wildebeest

Wildebeest or should I say Wildebeests? Whether they are crossing the river or running away from predators. When the whole herd of wildebeest run together, is so magnificent!

#5 - The Zebra

In Masai Mara, you get to see Zebra crossing without Zebra Crossing!

#5 + 1 - last but not least, the Cheetah

Just like the slogan of one of the famous DC character - The Flash, "fastest man alive". For cheetah, they are the fastest animals alive! No where else that you get to see cheetah walk in this formation.

Really hope to go back again sometime during a different season. This basically sums up my trip to Masai Mara. See you again Masai Mara.

The Many Faces of the King

The lion has been depicted as "King of the jungle" and/or "King of beasts" and is one of the most widely recognised animal symbols. It appeared as a symbol for strength and thus became a popular symbol for royalty. They are depicted in sculptures, paintings, national flags, and in many films and literature. Even Singapore got it's name from Lion.

A male lion is seen crossing to another part of Masai Mara early in the morning.

I have never been so close to a lion before not to mention is "uncaged". Visit Masai Mara give me a lot of first, such as being so close to a lion just meters away in their natural habitat.

 At one point the lion is just less than a meter away right beside our vehicle.

Saw this lion late in the evening as the lion set his eye on the target and waiting for the night fall before making his move.

Another first time for me to hear the lion roar up-close. The roar can be heard throughout the night back in my tent as they are just nearby our tent! What an awesome experience.

 Another male lion with the beautiful sun-rise as background of the Masai Mara.

These lioness is roaming or inspecting their territory and will chase away intruder(competitor) if any. 

One of my favorite shot of the trip is this lion with it's prey in the morning. The condensation from the hot air breath out by lion give this image the dreamy feel without PS or filter.

 This is the typical lion with it's prey photo.

 When the fearsome predator in their sleep, they become cute kitty!

 This male lion with black mane is performing his duty to increase the populations.

Playing is actually part of the training to get them ready as the next king. These cubs will one day have their own pride ( living in groups of related individuals with their offspring).