010. Calling the shots at Rifle Range (27th Feb 2009)

*[CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO GET A CLEARER & BIGGER VERSION :)]

To be more precise, this trip also involved traipsing through the the secondary forest of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve before we made our way to Rifle Range Road. However, compared to the previous entries, this one is relatively short as I will be putting more focus on certain creatures. (Who knows when I might get the chance to get within close proximity with these guys in the future right? ;) ) Besides that, I also managed to make acquaintance with a certain animal that I previously got to know via my textbook, ‘The Natural Heritage of Singapore'. And it’s none other than this creature below.

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A sudden noise towards our left swiftly sent our heads swivelling towards that direction, and what greeted us amongst the fairly dense thicket of green vegetation was a flighty Slender squirrel (Sundasciurus tenuis) [6]. Smaller and less common compared to the Plantain Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus), this slender-tailed squirrel can still be seen at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve [7]. Interestingly, its scientific name (in my opinion) is somewhat of an oxymoron. =)

The term –sciurus originates from the Latin “sciurus " (from Greek “skiouros” : skiā, shadow + ourā, tail) because the tail is supposedly large enough to provide shade for the rest of the animal [8]. On the other hand, its specific epithet – tenuis means thin/slender in Latin. Don’t the terms somewhat contradict each other? According to Ecology Asia, the head-body length is appoximately13-16cm while its tail measures to about 12-13cm. Nevertheless, I can pretty much tell that the tail is not going to be much of a help if this squirrel ever gets caught in the rain. >_<

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The picture on the right depicts a female Grasshawk dragonfly (Neurothemis fluctuans) [5] perching on the top of a blade of grass. However, I am not so sure about the one of the left. In fact, this picture was taken at different times, so a similar coloration between both dragonflies doesn’t necessarily mean its from the same species. On the other hand, I just might be thinking too much. But to identify a dragonfly, a snapshot of just the front view would mean peanuts – though it might look artistically appeasing – without a snapshot of its top view.

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(left): A hornet, which buzzing iridescent wings caught my attention as it hovered over a frond. There were actually quite a number of these around. Pretty, but their sting packs quite a punch. So, try not to get too close, if possible. =)

(right): The Archduke (Lexias pardalis dirteana) is one of the few butterflies (besides the Malay Viscount and the Horsefield’s Baron), which name shares a similarity to the British nobility [1]. The reason boggles me too. I am a little uncertain about its identity, but based on its black wings with a distinctive blue margin (and some spots), it’s could possibly be an Archduke (Nymphalidae) [3]. One unique characteristic of the beauties from the Nymphalidae family is that their forelegs are undeveloped and cannot be used for walking. So instead of walking on 6, they can only depend on 4. Either way, they are still rather hard to capture when on the wing. >__> Who says only fishing cultivates patience eh?

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At one of the rest areas in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, a Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon luctatius) [2] was seen fluttering on some moist parts along the concrete paths. The ones that are seen are generally males, as they are usually observed to gather in large numbers at moist spots, especially if it’s tainted with urine [1]. O_o Anyway, this butterfly belongs to the family Papilionidae that consists some of the most gorgeous species in the world. In fact, Papilionidae is Latin (papilion) for butterfly! I guess their forms are taken as a general basis on how most butterflies should look like. :)

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It must have been a hot day indeed for there was another butterfly seen hovering around the aforementioned moist spots. (Actually, there was someone washing a vehicle nearby, hence the pool of water in the left picture.)

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With its slender proboscis unfurled, the male Cruiser (Vindula dejone erotella) [1] was all ready to drink till its little-heart content. Slightly larger than the females, the more common males are easily distinguished by its orange-brown hue and wavy black lines along the termen (= wing margin). Like the Common Bluebottle, the males from these species are also frequently found feeding at damp seepages and urine-tainted soil [9]. Seeing the word ‘male’ and ‘urine’ occurring twice in a row, was enough to pique my interest. And by the time I finished reading an article pertaining to this peculiarity, I was grinning from cheek to cheek.

It seems that, besides the sugar from nectar, butterflies (like all other creatures) need other nutrients like salts, nitrogen, amino acids and other chemicals for survival and as sex attractants. But other than sugars, plants offer little else of what’s needed by a butterfly. You will be surprised to find out that its buffet can range from a menu of rotting fruits to animals’ excretion! And just like us, butterflies have also evolved the practice of providing ‘wedding gifts’. During sex, males transfer a spermatophore (= a packet of nutrients, salts, and sperm that can weigh as much as half its own weight) to the female, which may depend on the packet as necessary provision for her eggs. Her time and efforts can then be used to find suitable host plants for her eggs.

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And that’s partly why males – like both the Common Bluebottle and the Cruiser – constitute the vast majority of butterflies clustering at salty or urine-soaked ground. Not only is it easy to find by its strong odour; to an unmated male butterfly, these veritable cocktail of nitrogenous waste, amino acids, salts and excreted sugars are the equivalent of haute cuisine. And if a puddle gets a four-star rating, faeces are twice that much, and carrion even more [10]. Though these pretty boys might look delicate, they sure can rough it out for their other half. Come hell and high waters indeed! =)

Just like the Archduke, the Cruiser also belongs to the Nymphalidae family. And as stated, the species from these particular family depend on 4 legs to walk instead of the usual 6. The picture (right) of the 4-legged butterfly didn’t strike me as odd before, but after learning this fact did I go “oooooh…”… haha. =)

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(left): And the surprises don’t just stop there, for entwined around one of the pillars of the rest area was a Twin-barred Tree Snake (Chrysopelea pelias) [4]. According to Ecology Asia, this rare reptile of a quiet temperament is mildly venomous. Like the Paradise Tree Snake (here and here), this species is able to glide considerable distances by inverting its ventral (= lower) surface and launching itself from the tree tops. And of course, with the discovery of its presence, the snake was pretty soon in the spotlight of joggers and tourists alike.

(right): Being the 3rd snake of the day, the Oriental whip snake (Ahaetulla prasina) is a rather common sight compared to the Twin-barred above. Mildly venomous and docile (but this doesn’t mean it can be handled as like), the Oriental whip snake is usually found in forested and rural areas. Compared to its fluorescent green adult, the young are brownish in colour. Interestingly, they are born alive [11]. (Another snake I know of that has such an adaptation is the venomous Amphibious sea-snake (Laticauda colubrina). [6])

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Slim and elegant, the Oriental is often superbly-camouflaged amongst bright green foliage. In fact, I was really lucky to be able to spot it amidst the sunlight-stricken leaves. The snake has also been observed to be mostly encountered when it is sunning itself on the secondary growth along the forest edge [11]. AY has wondered whether there’s a connection between the snake and the plant it was seen on.

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To distinguish an Oriental whip snake is fairly easy. Besides its eye-catching emerald hue, there is also a thin yellow line running along the sides of the body. This snake was pretty much of a cam-whore (lol..). Why? Well, it was as if it knew we were done with its previous pose and gladly obliged us with another before staying as still as a statue for another celebrity treatment! The picture on the right has got to be one of the best snapshots I have of the Oriental! Demure’s the word, yes? ^-^

Reference:
1. A Guide to Common Butterflies of Singapore

2. http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/2382/papilionidae/sarpedon.html

3. http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/2382/nymphalidae/nymphalinae/archduke.htm

4. http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/twin-barred_tree-snake.htm

5. http://www.greenunity.net/odonata/species_details.asp?genusX=Neurothemis&speciesX=fluctuans

6. Tan et. al (2006). The Natural Heritage of Singapore.

7. http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/mammals/slender_squirrel.htm

8. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Squirrel

9. http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/2382/nymphalidae/nymphalinae/cruiser.htm

10. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1134/is_6_110/ai_76550327

11. http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/oriental_whip-snake.htm