The Lazy Lizard's Tales

Ivan

The leaves of various seagrass species found in Singapore;
(Photo by Ria Tan)

In the previous post, we took a look at seagrasses, some of the places in Singapore where you can find them, and also went through the ten species of seagrass recorded in Singapore in recent surveys. In this post, we'll find out why seagrass habitats are so important, and some of the threats they face.

Ivan

Seagrass meadows of Cyrene overlooking Jurong Island

Lush seagrass meadows of Cyrene Reef;

In my earlier post on World Oceans Day, I mentioned seagrass meadows as one of several marine habitats that can still be found in coastal areas of Singapore. But what are seagrasses? Why are they important? And what can we do to protect them?

Ivan

Many people are finally clued in to the awesomeness of mantis shrimps, thanks to a hilarious comic by The Oatmeal.

This has been cited as an excellent example of science communication, and is also a great opportunity to highlight that Singapore has mantis shrimps too!

Ivan

Gyps himalayensis , Himalayan Griffon, in Tibetan "mkha' la 'khor མཁའ་ལ་འཁོར་"

(Photo by reurinkjan)

Today is International Vulture Awareness Day, and I thought it would be appropriate to write about records of vultures in Singapore.

But why do we need a day to celebrate vultures? As stated on the International Vulture Awareness Day website:
Vultures are an ecologically vital group of birds that face a range of threats in many areas that they occur. Populations of many species are under pressure and some species are facing extinction.

The International Vulture Awareness Day has grown from Vulture Awareness Days run by the Birds of Prey Programme in South Africa and the Hawk Conservancy Trust in England, who decided to work together and expand the initiative into an international event.

It is now recognised that a co-ordinated international day will publicise the conservation of vultures to a wider audience and highlight the important work being carried out by the world's vulture conservationists.

Ivan

Today, the Naked Hermit Crabs celebrated National Day with a guided tour on the Chek Jawa boardwalk.

Ivan

Ivan

Ivan

Kusu Island;
(Photo by James)

There really are quite a number of fishes with dragon-inspired names. Today, we'll look at a family of really bizarre-looking fishes which can be found in Singapore.

Ivan

Tripodfish (Triacanthidae)
Changi, 21st February 2010

This dead tripodfish was found on the ground along with several other dead fishes at the base of a tree, well away from the shoreline. Clearly, these had been discarded after a fishing session.

Wild Fact Sheets
Coastal Fishes of Indonesia: Field Guide to Lombok Island