rare, wild and endangered: philippine flora and fauna that you might not know about
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Alright. So this is not the usual stuff that I hub about. It's something else. It's something about my country, the Philippines. Okay, let's make that a little something.
I spent the whole day yesterday doing research for a client about, well, curiosities and wonders found in the Philippines. And I spent a whole day. That made me sit down and think - why did it take me 24 hours or thereabouts to do the research when it's about my country? The place I call home since birth? I mean supposedly I should have at least a general idea of what to look for, right? But that was not the case and I realized, after sending the research materials I gathered, that I know more about Western art and American pop culture than, say, the first thing about Philippine geography. So I decided to make amends with the rivers and lakes and forests that inhabit the 7,100 islands that make up this archipelago west of the Pacific Ocean.
Truth be told, I dream of saving pandas and rainforest orchids in the Amazon. But after doing the research it dawned upon me that perhaps my dream would be nearer to reality and would still be as noble if I aspire for what is geographically possible. Hence, this hub. Which I hope should at least make a ripple in the pond of environmentalism in my country.
The last thought that crossed my mind while I was finishing this introduction was that I am actually okay with the notion that I will probably not be able to see in person the living things - great and small - featured in this hub in my lifetime. But I'd rather much prefer it than seeing them up close behind a glass wall in some museum.
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tamaraw
Found only in the island of Mindoro (Western Philippines, near the island of Luzon), the tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) is a species of the buffalo but is not a subspecies (although similar in appearance) of the carabao and the water buffalo. Also called the dwarf buffalo, the tamaraw is considered to be the largest native terrestrial mammal in the country.
The tamaraw is distinguished from the carabao and the water buffalo by the light markings on the sides of its face, more hair and shorter horns which form a distinctive V shape.
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butanding (whale shark)
The butanding, or whale shark (Rhincodon typus), is the largest fish in the world. In Donsol, a fishing village in the Sorsogon province, the biggest group of butandings have been observed to make their way across oceans for a visit during the period covering November to May. Local waters have now become a sanctuary for a group of at least 40 butandings - a phenomenon seen nowhere else in the world. Butandings measure from 18 to 35 feet and weigh about 20 tons.
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monkey-eating eagle
The monkey-eating eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is also known as the Great Philippine eagle and Haribon. It is endemic to the country and is considered to be critically endangered with less than 500 birds believed to be surviving in the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.
The bird is characterized by its shaggy crest, which lends it an appearance similar to a lion or a griffin, and its size - 3.36 ft long, weight of about 7 kg and a wingspan of approximately 2 meters.
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waling-waling
The waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana) is considered to be the queen of orchids in the Philippines. Its popularity is due to the horticultural challenges it present to breeders and, of course, its magnificent flowers - some are even known to produce blue and bluish purple flowers. Most waling-walings grow on branches of trees in old-growth forests usually at a height of 12 meters (or more) above the forest floor.
Most varieties of waling-walings are found in the province of Davao, in Mindanao.
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calamian deer
The Calamian deer (Axis calamianensis) or Calamian hog deer is a species of deer found only in the Calamian Islands, north of Palawan province. The deer is one of the three deer species native to the Philippines. An average Calamian deer measures 105 to 115 cm in length and 60 to 65 cm in height and weighs roughly 36 to 50 kilograms. It has been observed that the Calamian deer has darker and longer legs than the hog deer and its fawns are not spotted at birth.
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corals
One of the richest and most diversified coral populations can be found in the Philippines. In fact, of the 500 known coral species in the world, a total of 488 are found in the country.
The John G. Shedd Aquarium, an indoor public aquarium in Chicago, Illinois has recreated a Philippine coral reef based on the marine reserve on the Apo Island (the second largest coral reef area in the world) in the province of Negros.
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kalangay (philippine cockatoo or red-vented cockatoo)
Another species endemic to the Philippines is the kalangay (Cacatua haematuropygia). This bird, considered to be one of the most exotic in the world, is distinguishable from other cockatoos by the red feathers around the vent, the pale yellow underwings and undertails and is generally quieter.
The kalangays have a wingspan of at least 9 inches and can grow up to 12 inches in length (beak to tail). They are also known to mimic human voices and are considered to be ideal pets due to their sociability and no-fuss eating habits.
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pilandok (philippine mouse-deer)
The pilandok (Tragulus nigricans), contrary to common belief is not of the deer family but is a member of the chevrotain (French, "little goat"). Pilandoks are only found in Balabac island in the Philippine province of Palawan. They are nocturnal creatures that feed on plants. And unlike the deer, the males of the pilandok do not grow antlers but instead use canine teeth for self-defense.
The pilandok is considered the world's smallest hoofed mammal.
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turtles, turtles and more turtles
Five of the eight species of marine turtles can be found in the Philippines: the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta).
Facts: the green turtle and the hawksbill are regarded as critically endangered; the leatherback lacks the bony shell; the Olive Ridley is one of the smallest among the species; the loggerhead can grow up to a length of 1.1 meters.
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philippine tarsier
Tarsier is the common name for any of the four species of primates found in Indonesia, Borneo and the Philippines. Tarsiers are smaller than full grown rats and have soft, furry bodies and thin limbs for leaping. Their most conspicuous feature however are their enormous goggle-like eyes. They are arboreal and mostly eat insects and lizards at night.
The Philippines tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is mostly found in Bohol, an island in the Visayas region.
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rafflesia
Rafflesia is a parasitic flowering plant discovered by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. The plant is without leaves, stems and true roots and the only part that can be seen is the five-petaled flower, the largest in the world, which can measure up to 39 inches in diameter.
Some of the Rafflesia species endemic to the Philippines include the Rafflesia manillana and Rafflesia schadenbergiana. They are found in the country's mountainous regions.
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the giant clam
Found off the shores of the Philippines, the giant clam (Tridacna gigas) can measure 4 feet across and can live up to more than a century. Although giant clams pepper the shallow coral reefs of the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific, seven of its eight known species are found in local waters.
kagwang (philippine flying lemur or colugo)
Endemic to the Philippines, the kagwang (Cynocephalus volans) is one of the most unique creatures on Earth. Although it doesn't have wings, the kagwang can "fly" or glide across a distance of 100 meters in a single leap. Like the lemurs of Asia, which are not really lemurs, it is nocturnal and feeds mainly on fruits. Its head looks like that of a dog while its body, which can grow up to 17 inches long, has similarities with the flying squirrel of Canada.
The kagwang is concentrated in the Mindanao region and Bohol and its predators include the monkey-eating eagle.
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glory of the sea (gloriamaris)
The glory of the sea (Conus gloriamaris) is among the 12,000 or so species of seashells found in the waters of the Philippines. It is considered to be one of the rarest and most expensive seashells in the world due to its interesting pattern and almost perfect cone shape.
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tobias (dwarf pygmy goby)
The tobias, or bia, (Pandaka pygmaea) is a tropical freshwater fish considered to be the world's shortest and lightest. Mature males can grow up to 1.1 cm while the females of the species can reach .3 cm longer. It's average weight is from 4 to 5 mg.
The species are almost colorless and can be described as nearly transparent and are found in the streams, lakes and shady riverbanks in various parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila. Like the monkey-eating eagle, the tabios is endemic to the Philippines.
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OMG what awesome pictures. And thanks for all the interesting information. I'm gonna have to come to the Philippines and check it out, it looks beautiful. Nice hub.
TM
Hey thanks, glad you enjoyed the mini-docu! I think I did a good thing for my country! LOL :D
alek
You should - and wait till I hub about the many things that most tourists find quite different but very interesting. Thanks for dropping by :D
What a visually arresting hub! Thanks for the treat Chris. It happens to a lot of us...we tend to know more about other countries than our own, especially if we've been reared on books and music and films that are not wholly indigenous.
FP
Anytime FP!
Yeah, I guess it's a common occurrence specially for us "cosmopolitan", "educated" citizens of our respective countries. But it's never too late to explore our backyards before we head on out of the gate! :D
Cris thank you for such a cool window Into your country . Those pictures would make Marlon Perkins " Wild Kingdom " proud ! Some truly cool stuff !
Cris..Amazing..just do not have words for this so very..very..very..well..whatever hub!Seriously,thanks for enlightening us on your country's awesome flora and fauna.Arresting pictures as well!:)Thanks for sharing!Just loved the kalangay, philippine tarsier,rafflesia and not to mention the awesome giant clam!:)
Wonderful layout for these wonderful species. How incredible. Thank goodness for people who keep rack of these things and for photographs (which are so unbelievable, I want to reach out and touch them)! Fantastic job. Thank you so much for sharing these.
tony
Yeah welcome to my jungle! LOL Thanks for taking a peek :D
lyla
Thanks for the nice compliment, you make me proud of putting this hub together. Yes, aren't they awesome? Thanks for dropping by :D
Breathtaking! I had a "Finding Nemo" moment with the sea turtle looking at the camera.. and the tiny primates and the giant clams.. To save the world's treasures, we really must being at home. Well done!
Frieda
Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, the world is pretty much amazing, isn't it? And yes, I put in extra hours for the layout! LOL :D
Candie
I hope you didn't feel like Dori! LOL yeah, we should really stop thinking like we are alone in this world - that there's a realy really big clam out there! LOL thanks for dropping by, glad you enjoyed this :D
"Just keep hubbing! Just keep hubbing!" Yeah, I kinda had a Dori moment!
Wonderful hub. What amazing pics to go with the info. Such amazing animals. Even the Tamaraw is cute in his own stolid way. And the rafflesia? Wow that is cool. :D
Wow! I love this Hub! Brilliant, interesting, educative! original!
Please do some more such Hubs!
God's creature's are wonderfully amazing and so beautiful and you have done a wonderful job here showing us and explaining how it effects us all...I love the way you seperate things? How can I do that??? ssshhh I am a copycat...LURVE you Moreeee...:O) Hugs
Wow, what a visually beautiful hub, your photos and the clip art is so aesthetically pleasing. I was reading and viewing the photos with wide eyed wonder. I am humbled by Creation. Had not seen these animals and plants before! I will share your hub in a forum I have with Yahoo.
Candie
LOL I hope your short-term memory loss is short term! :D
PM
Actually, one Toyota car model was called Tamaraw but I think it was only made available here in the Philippines. Yeah the rafflesia is one big flower alright!
Tatjana
I think I would as this kind of hub somehow raises awareness. Thanks for dropping by :D
G-Ma
Yeah, aren't they wonderful - big and small! OKay, the "borders" are just photos. Put the photo capsule in between text or whatever it is you wish to separate. Lurve ya most! :D
VioletSun
Yes, nature can be jaw-dropping if we only take the time to know more. And thanks for sharing this to a forum, I appreciate the gesture. Thanks for dropping by :D
Hola, Cris! I never saw a Nat Geo type hub coming from you :-) and the thing is, you turned it into your usual artistry type deliverance paying excelent homage to the fauna and flora in your country. Very pretty and very interesting! Hats off to you!
PS: That monkey-eating eagle is quite a errrrr sight :-)
A wonderful visual tour Cris, thanks mate.
TOF
Elena.
Neither did I? It's that research! As for the layour, ah well, can't help myself when I put a hub together. Anyway, glad you like this.
Yeah, that monkey eating eagle is quite big, I think the second largest after the American condor. Unfortunately I did not find a pic where its crest is all ruffled - really quite intimidating.
TOF
Glad you hopped on board for the tour. :D
I think we all assume that we know our own country, just because we live there, it goes to show that clearly we do not.
This is a very interesting, colourful and indepth hub you have put together - Now where shall I go on holiday?
hawke
Yeah I think I agree with you on that.
Just holler when you arrive in Manila! thanks for dropping by :D
Amazing hub and amazing pictures - all within an amazing layout of course :)
This is the kind of stuff I would have loved to see in the Phillipines Cris - do hope we can make it someday! Thanks for a wonderfully informative and visually appealing hub!
Shalini
Must be the margaritas! Hmmm LOL of course i kid you! Thanks, it seems my hard work is paying off.
It's never too late, tell the hubby where you want to go for a vacation - a post anniversary gift! A lei of rafflesias is waiting. Let's make that a headdress! :D
Some very facinating critters! It would be something to see some of these in the wild. What an awesome sight! Great, facinating hub. The monkey-eating eagle looks surpreme (not that I have anything against monkeys) and the Tarsier is quite a trip. Thanks for the education in nature!
Well it is too early in the morning to read all of that, but I certainly did look at the pictures, brilliant idea to show us round the Philipines, we can picture you there now..... and a bit of the culture...
P.S. saw a documentary about the former Cat Stevens, he is recording again, hooray, cant wait to listen to his music again, what a lovely guy, did you see anything about it by any chance...
May come back to ya when I have read this through later, bye for now....x
did u miss the t out turles,turles and more turles on purpose....
Hey Chris
Yeah fascinating they are! Of course we have nothing against monkeys - only if they don't throw things at us! LOL Thanks for dropping by :D
Brenda
You're welcome for a visit anytime! Ah but I live in the city all I have of wilderness are some trees and my mother! LOL
Really? That's good news about Cat Stevens! I'm a big fan - and his Wild world comes to mind as something apt for this hub (if only for the title, of course!)
Okay, see ya when I do :D
PS just saw your question! Darn! I'll go edit! Thanks a million :D
Great coral for a snorkeller - I hope the reefs are protected - they are stunning. And that rafflesia - I would just like to sit in front of that and contemplate - tat such things exist !
Has this research made you want to explore your country more ?
You could do a hub on Cat Stevens, and his new name Yusuf Islam..... The programme about him was soooooo wonderful, he is now in the 4th phase of his life, and every time he changes he looks completely different. He has decided now that it's o.k. to play music. I wonder if now we have all this world recession and all the brilliant muscicians will come out of the wood work, nothing as inspiring as bad times to get the juices flowing.... Pity John Lennon is not alive..... My computer is crap and I need to get lessons on how to pictures up etc..... It would be good to see his different images. Anyway taking up lots of space here, so I will go for now...... x
Iphi
You would enjoy the Philippines as we are surrounded by water. LOL the rafflesia does seem to be very commanding of one's attention.
Come to think of it, yeah definitely so. I'll plan something. Thanks for dropping by :D
Brenda
No I haven't, I'm not even aware! So thanks for the info. So true, their music should inspire and bring hope in times like these.
Hey maybe you should do the hub! Think about it... :D
I would like to gather all the information together, I just doubt my ability, especially to get pictures up and all
BTW, tarsiers are so cute, is it possible to cuddle them?
Brenda
Oh you can do it. If it's something you like, should be fun despite the work involved. I wish I could help you out with the pics but i don't have an idea how! :C Anyway, explore the capsules and you'll figure it out! I hope! :D
Tatjana
LOL I don't know about cuddling as they are so small for that. Probably cupping or fondling would do. :D
Google eyes, ha, ha, ha!
Cris - wonderful. Colourful and vibrant. Some of the pictures - the coral for eg - are stunning. What an amazingingly beautiful part of the world you are from. Such a diverse ecological enviroment.
My favourite is the rafflesia. What a strange looking plant. I'm assuming it's some kind of weed? If so, it beats our ragwort and dandelions hands down!
Great article Cris - thumbed up :)
Hi Cris,
Thumbs up for this hub!
The reason why I was directly involved in the community organizing effort against the construction of the Southern Luzon Tollway Extension Project, a six-lane highway that would have been constructed within 1996 - 98 from Quezon to Manila passing through the foothills of Mt. Banahaw was because Mt. Banahaw is one of the remaining rainforests in the Philippines and a home to the country's endangered species. Thank God, with the sustained protest from the people of Quezon and Laguna, the SLTP project that would have harmed Mt. Banahaw was eventually cancelled by DENR IN 1997!
Your hub will not only be a good environmental protection material for us, Filipinos, but certainly for other citizens of the planet too. We have only one planet Earth to protect!
Hey, Cris. You chose some really magnificent specimens here. :) I remember just being in awe when I saw a giant clam and really colorful corals and fishes while snorkeling off Dos Palmas, Palawan. :) But I also remember feeling sorry for those tiny tarsiers in captivity when we went to Bohol. :( Tourists were poking them and making them face the camera and they looked tired. :(
Wonderful photos and an important hub for all who wish to preserve this amazingly diverse flora and fauna
Double wow! When I visit there I absolutely have to see the rafflesia and the philippine tarsier. I'm not crazy about snakes and one reason I haven't been to your country is some of the stories about them. Just how bad a problem are they?
Tatjana
Yeah, they're as big as you've seen in the pics!
FD
Yeah, you should hop this way sometime.
And I'm not surprised that you've taken to the rafflesia as your hub on carnivorous plants came to my mind when I was putting the rafflesia "segment" together.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
france
I think I've heard about that. It's good you had your way. I've been to Mt Banahaw, trekked it in the early 90s. Even went to an underground stream where it is said wishes are granted.
Yeah, let's unite for that fight! Thanks for dropping by as always :D
BC
Haha just holler when you set foot on Philippine soil! :D
Susan
That was some experience you shared. The corals are indeed beautiful and to think I've only been to Puerto Galera and Boracay! I've been meaning to go to Palawan. Maybe someday... :D
earnest
Yeah, promotion of diversity should not be limited to us humans! Thanks for reading :D
Jerilee
Honestly, I didn't know we have problems with snakes - but then again I live in the city. But basing on media reportage, there's been no snake scare or anything involving a snake happening. Anyway, I guess you have to go to places where protection or some sort of administration is in place.
Thanks for reading :D
Amazing and I loved the pictures. You have shown us that we should all look out at our own back yards and learn and pass on what is right there. I'm still learning and it is thanks to people like you---
Thank you for sharing some of the amazing wonders of the Philippines with us.
Ginn
I guess we all have a role to play. Thanks for reading a leaving an inspiring comment as always! Thanks :D
Christa
It's my pleasure! Thanks for dropping by :D
Sorry friend am late! You have no clue how much clogged this poor cat is nowadays but that wasn't we were talking about here, were we?
I loved loved loved the hub. It's always so exciting to see nature at work.
butanding was an amazing shark .... no seriously, I have always hated sharks personally (yes, I can hate some animals too) but this shark is .... Beautiful!
tarsier looks more like a raccoon ... loved it! :D
giant clam has such amazing colors ... it's so elegant!
Lastly, corals are a beauty ... haven't seen so many colors ever before ...
Alright ... in short ... I LOVED THE HUB?
P.S Do you plan to smoke yer angel to death Cris? When are you gonna change that avatar?
nazish
no matter how late you are, my bus won't leave without you. and you know that! I see you have a say on almost all of the species - I appreciate that.
Anyway, you're clogged you say? take it easy, slow down, find the time to breathe. All work and no play makes nazish a dull buddy! LOL
The angel's just a poser, don't mind him too much :D
Great pictures and I love the little Tarsier, thanks for sharing a prt of your world.
Thanks for dropping by Dan. Yeah, the tarsier is one of the cutest things I ever saw - looks like a Gremlin, the pre-monster Gremlin! LOL :D
Beautiful, I enjoyed my tour of the Philippines Thank you.
Just dropped by to drop this off: http://hubpages.com/hub/Lobster-Mac--Cheese-with-T
PS: AWESOME photos!!!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Absolutely beautiful and very educational hub, Cris. The information you present here is spectacular! Outstanding, as always Cris. You are so dynamic in every hub you publish. Thank you for the lovely visit to your country. Fantastic!
Hi Cris, I really enjoyed this! the pictures were fabulous and I always love a personal tour around another Country. Your country is so beautiful with many different flower,animals, and fish than we see here in the states. Have no fear of getting an unexpected visitor, I have a fear of flying! This hub will probably be the closest I get to your part of the World. :-)
Cris-Those coral pictures just took my breath away--they are just so beautiful...
What a tremendous hub about your country--I hope we can see it in person someday!
A lei of rafflesias? Sounds wonderful! Those pictures really are breathtaking Cris! I've seen a lot of coral but these are mind-blowing - love the tarsier and mouse deer too :)
Gypsy
Glad you enjoyed and thanks for taking the tour :D
AW
Glad you followed the link and returned it! LOL vielen Dank! :D
Sandy
Thanks for the comment peppered with beautiful words as always. Thanks for the visit. You'll always be welcome :D
Whikat
Don't close your doors on the possibility of exploring my part of the world. Who knows, right? Thanks :D
Tammy
Aren't they gorgeous? I hope you can come for a visit. There's so much to see.
Shalini
Are you sure with the lei? I think I changed it into a headdress instead - I mean you have seen the flower, right? LOL Glad you enjoyed the pics - I bet your country has lots of these kinds of wonders, too! I think a hub on that is fortcoming.... hmmm :D
Even your pic hubs are poetic.....wow....beautiful! I loved this! LYM! :)
haha Cris - yes I did - was going to add that if it was a lei - so be it - would be my dressy dress there :) Thought better of it :D
hmmmm....you tempt me - but I don't have your layout skills to make them all come together so well!!
Tom
Ah but Tom you see poetry in everything. But I'm still glad to hear that! LYM :D
Shalini
So a headdress it is! Consider that as a challenge! I've always been fascinated with the legendary Bengal tigers and the magnificent Indian elephants and the misunderstood King Cobra... and the precocious primate species, too! :D
Cris - you're on! :)
Shalini
Ha! I just know how to "rub you the right way" - I will be waiting my friend! :D
PS If you need any help... I can help you look for pics and email them.
I have been planning to visit the hilipines oneday Cris and your hub encouraged me more. Your country has such a wonderful nature.
shamel
That's cool. I'm glad this hub has helped your resolve to get on that plane to here. I guess I'll be seeing you then? LOL :d
You are a genius! You are...you are...you are, Cris! Really wonderful hub, Cris. I liked it very much. I didn't know we have deers in Philly...pins? I've seen and ate the giant clam when I was younger. I cannot remember how it taste and I'm not sure I still want to eat them now.
Clap, clap, clap! always proud of you!
sheena
Yeah, I figured who would if I won't! And you being busy and all... LOL Glad you like it. Thanks for the applause! Haha :D
I have been to Manila and didn't see all these beautiful sites, not one of them. However, when I go back, I look forward to seeing some of the beautiful life of the Phillippines. I saw the beauty in the people and the religion, it was completely and totally worth the trip. Thank you for sharing all that you did, I loved it!
Great hub! I read so much about the flora and fauna there and that it is being lost just as quickly as science discovers it. Hopefully these things can be saved.
Ladybird
Ah well, Manila is a city and all you'll get of the wild there is at the zoo - which is not much. But you can always come back :D
Ashley
If we'll all do our part then it's not too late. Thanks for dropping by :D
Cris,
Thanks for the wildlife lesson and vist to your country.The monkey eating eagle is awesome!I better get out of here before it spots my avatar!
Mindless
You're welcome. LOL you're not totally mindless afterall but I must warn the agle that you're a brute! :D
The more I learn of the Philippines, the more interesting your country becomes. I loved the monkey eating eagle with it's shaggy crest, and the waling-waling has such beautiful blossoms.
I am not sure I would want to find a giant clam, they look like they could bite your foot off if you stepped into it. And I don't know what I would think if I found a rafflesia while I was walking along in the woods. LOL, probably would have thought I found some sort of alien if I had not read your hub!
our Philippines is truly a fascinating country with these wonderful flora and fauna.. the eagle reminds me of the times my son was so engrossed with eagles and hawks that he can even recite the wing span and the color and the beak for each type.
k@ri
I know you would love them for you are such a nature lover.
LOL the giant clams are like most clams - they do not um "attack". As for the rafflesia, well it does look like an alien or a prop for a fantasy movie! :D
bingskee
I agree - it's truly a wonderful pplace now that I have started thinking about it after doing this hub. Really? I remember too that I memorized all the names of the dinosaurs and had them fighting with each other. Ah memories... :D
Hey Cris,
Insightful Hub! I love reading about animals. I think my favorate is the Philippine tarsier. The one in the picture looks kinda like Yoda! LOL
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success guru
Yeah the tarsier kinda looks like Yoda! Hey maybe.... nah! LOL
LOL okay, that sounds like a great deal. :D
Well, cris this is great. You might as well write about such topics more often because simply your gift glitters in every single style. Well the tarsier is kinda freaky with its round small eyes that have weird color. LOL....You have really great pictures as well!! Well, when mom and I were planning to visit her country this summer, we were planning on going to Palawan and other places. But you know that there is thousands of islands there. SO what places would you recommend (as for natural places to visit) and historical museums as well? I would really like to learn more about the culture, nature, and the life style as well.
Uriel
Thanks, that was nice of you to say. You should really go to Palawan! So many beaches. You might also want to check out Camiguin, Ilocos and Bohol. Btw, the "thousand islands" is in Pangasinan. Thanks for reading :D
This is a very beautiful hub filled with information and magnificent photos. Thank you for sharing and writing about our country Cris! Thumbs up! :-)
Michelle
It's the least I can do. Thanks for dropping by :D
This is such an interesting hub! I love wildlife!
Bard
Thanks for reading and dropping a line. I too love the wildlife beyond the docus I've been watching. :D
I'm half-philippine. And I must say we share a very rish heritage. It's a terrible shame the government is so corrupt. I would love to visit it, but my Lolo says it's not worth it at the moment. Sure hope things change.
robubba
That's cool! But be sure to make that visit in the future :D
Hey Cris. I'm looking at all your hubs right now (to make me sleep? just kidding). This one is really something. Ala National Geographic or Animal Planet. Very beautiful pictures to go with the very very good write-ups.
emi
I was inspired to do this after seeing some wildlife docus by BBC. Thanks for dropping by :D
Yeah the hub is brilliant and oozing with amazing wild life, you did a very good job showing off our treasures in the world stage.
General, sir. Thanks for the kind words. And I see you said "our" hmmm Salamat ulit :D
Love love love this hub soooOO much! Thanks for the terrific photos. I dream to hold one of those cute tarsiers. I've never been to Bohol yet. Keep it up!
alta
yeah I can see that you dooooo! LOL I went to Bohol last year, sadly they do not allow tarsier petting. But maybe they've changed the rules? Anyway I hope you realize your dream of going there :D
thanks! u helped me a lot in my assignment.
Duhata
I'm glad to be of help! Thanks for reading and commenting :D
hi ummm............is this the.........um...............joli.....po..op
Nice article Cris but tabios isnt Pandaka pygmaea. Tabios which is also known as sinarapan is Mistichthys luzonensis. Tabios is endemic in Lakes Bato and Buhi in the Camarines Sur province. Tabios is actually a delicacy in the Camarines Sur but the introduction of foreign fish species like the Tilapia in its home lakes has taken its toll in its populations that the tabios are now considered endangered.
However your picture is most likely a Pandaka pygmaea (but not a tabios!). But to my knowledge this species has no local filipino name. In fact, Albert Herre doesnt mention any local Filipino name for Pandaka pygmaea. So I guess it would suffice to call it a dwarf pygmy goby.
Regards, Benjamin
I love your pictures. My niece just started dating a boy from the Phillipines. I am going to show the pictures to her and her boyfriend.
Thank you for sharing.
Benjamin
Thanks for pointing that out as I really meant TOBIAS and not tabios. It's also known as BIA. At least according to wikipedia. Must edit the typo error. Thanks.
jackie
Maybe you should. Thanks for dropping by.
thanks..it helped us a lot..
that's nice to hear, i'm glad to be of help :D
do you know the scientific name of philippinae "cobra-cobra" plant?
I have not heard of the cobra-cobra plant but according to google (hahaha) there is a cobra plant and it's genus is Darlingtonia and one of its varities is carnivorous and is called Darlingtonia californica, or simply the cobra plant.
Hope this helps :D
lease post list of philippine wildlife and endangered species
Haha tell you what, why don't you send me a message through here so I'll know your email and then I can send a list to you? :D
Chris, I'll be coming back to this one several times more... too much captivating fauna for me to absorb in one sitting. For now I will picture you typing out your hubs while esconced in a saddle atop a tamaraw, communing with whale sharks, with a monkey-eating eagle perched on your wrist (but which you have converted to eating tofu monkey substitute), and leading an army of mouse-deer (or mice-deer???) in your relentless onslaught against nefarious spoilers of the environment.
Haha my friend, your hyperactive imagination is second to none. Wait, Dali and Goya come to mind and might just give you competition!
Thanks for dropping by. Hearing from you is always a pleasure :D
Yes, the Philippines is a megabiodiversity archipelago with stunning endemism! But the habitats of these amazing flora and fauna have been continually shrinking due to anthropogenic stress...can we not be good stewards of all these blessings bestowed upon us?
And I couldn't agree with you more! :D
nice keep up the good work
Chris, I recieve an awful lot of drivel on my blog site. I do take the time to check many of them to be sure it is not something of interest to me. The particular article which brought me to this site had been removed, but, I noticed your article. I grew up in central Mindanao (Near Malaybalay, Bukidnon). I collected orchids as a kid and recal going to a large farm and meeting a government official who was enthusiastic about the Monkey Eating Eagle. He explained one of the reasons it was so difficlut to keep and help them survive was they mated while flying and needed a long way to fall during copulation. Obviously, captive situations could not replicate this so captive breeding was extremely rare.
So, thanks for taking me back 30 years or maybe 45 years to a distant, yet fresh memory.
Thanks maria
@dave
Like you've never been away huh. Maybe it's high time that you refresh memory - a visit perhaps?
Thanks for sharing your wonderful story :D
Thank you for the information, it had helped a lot in my wildlife subject.
I love flying squirrel becaues it so qute.
thanks for you hub. this could be one way that could bring to the eyes of the many the beauty and wonders of the world. And that, the Philippines is one among those exuding a wonderfully beautiful and rare plant and animal species. Hoping this hub can awaken the minds of the people about making efforts in preserving Mother Nature and all through its environment.
@jensen, rose and theodore - thanks guys, glad this little hub is appreciated. :D
i am so very glad that a fellow Filipina show cased the unique plants and animals of the Philippines for others to see and appreciate before these are destroyed beyond protection.
Voted up, awesome and beautiful! This hub rocks! I'm from the Philippines and a Filipino. I've personally seen a Philippine eagle in Davao, Philippines and I was stunned! It was so big! I've also seen a tarsier in Bohol. It was so tiny it could probably fit in my pocket :) Someday, I want to see a butanding and smell a rafflesia, which they say stinks :(
thanks for sharing this to us.. and wow.. the tarsier smiled..!!!!! :DD
Jo, Kerlynb, joen - Glad you liked this hub. Thanks for reading and commenting :D
kailangan natin protekthan ang lahat ng emdangered na mga animals,hindi lng cla lahat ng mga hayop at mga yamang nandito sa atin at sa buong mundo
May tama ka Ken. Thanks for reading :D
I am really amazed on the rich, rare and endemic flora and fauna of my beloved country the Philippines. All of these wonderful life will soon vanished due to unabated logging, mining and land use conversion. The short sightedness of the previous governments' economic policies that supported highly extractive economic activities for revenues have resulted to the almost depletion of dipterocarp (hardwood) forests of which the archipelago was rich decades ago. The beautiful coral garden in the country's seas are also being exploited to the brink of total destruction resulting to poorer fish catch. We take pride for having this wonderful creatures and plant life in our islands found nowhere else in other parts of the world, but we weren't good stewards of these surprisingly astonishing natural treasures!
Hi Rommie
yes, unfortunately there's truth in what you said above. I hope it isn't too late for us.
Triplet Mom Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago
Cris - Even though this is a departure for you I really enjoyed this hub. I love learning about new places and you really made your country come alive for me!