Amphibian (7) - Four-ridged Toad, Bufo quadriporcatus

This bright-coloured looking frog is a ground dweller, it hides in the undergrowth during the day. There are a few short raised ridges between the eyes. Males are often bright orange in colour.

(Front view - Upper Peirce, 5 Jun 10)

(Side view - Upper Peirce, 5 Jun 10)

Mudskipper

Mudskippers are actually fish that breathe with gills. Mudskippers belong to the Family Gobiidae. They are commonly seen on many of our shores and are particularly abundant in mangroves and muddy shores.

In water, the mudskipper breathes through gills like other fishes do. However, when on land, it carries around its own "air tanks"; a mixture of air and water in its gill chambers. The blood vessels in the gills absorb the oxygen as the water passes through the gills. When the oxygen is used up, a fresh mouthful of water is gulped in.

Amphibian (6) - Malesian Frog (Limnonectes malesianus)

(Upper Pierce - 29 Aug 09)

Amphibian (5) - Malayan Giant Frog (Limnonectes blythii)

This is a juvenile Malayan Giant Frog, about 4 cm in length. An adult frog would not have the mottled botches on its whole body except the young. Adult looks quite different from young as it appears dull light green skin without mott. It could grow into a 17.5 cm giant frog!

(Bukit Timah Nature Trail - 9 Mar 09)

Amphibian (4) - Unknown Frog - Request for ID

This was a small frog about 3 to 4 cm in size. It was found on the same stream with the the Puddle frog (see previous post). They do not look like the same species to me. I would appreciate if anyone can help me with the ID.

(Upper Pierce - 26 Dec 09)

Amphibian (3) - Puddle Frog (Pending Confirmation)

(Upper Pierce - 26 Dec 09)


(Upper Pierce - 26 Dec 09)

Reptile (7) - Clouded Monitor Lizard

(Bukit Timah Bicycle Trial - 13 May 09)

Reptile (6) - Many-lined Sun Skink

Skinks are characterised by their smooth scaled skins and small legs. The Many-lined Sun skink is the most common skink species in Singapore. They are usually found basking in the sun along forest tracks.

(Venus Drive - 10 Jan 09)

Reptile (5) - Changeable Lizard

This widespread Asian native can easily be found in parks and gardens. Its colour ranges from brownish-buff to greyish, and in the breeding season the throat of the male becomes red and black.

(Male, Dairy Farm Nature Reserve - 8 Sep 09)

(A female leg - Wild Wild West, 5 Sep 2009)

Reptile (4) - Green Crested Lizard (GCL)

The GCL, in my opinion, is the most photogenic lizard in Singapore. The body colour is bright green, sometimes with a bluish tinge on the head. Its range is in decline possibly due to competition from the more common Changeable Lizard (Calcotes Versicolor). I was lucky to have seen them on a few occasions mostly at Venus Drive (5 times), Pulau Ubin and recently at Margaret Drive.

(Venus Drive - 25 Nov 08)

When threatened, its body can turn into brown colour as seen in the image below:


(Pulau Ubin - 12 Sep 09)

They are usually very skittish to human but on a lucky day, they may allow you to get some close-up shots.

(The eye of GCL - Venus Drive - 9 Jan 09

Reptile (3) - Elegant Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis Formosus)

A common forest snake. Similar to OWS, its body is long and extremely slender. It has large eye which is at least half the diameter of the thinkness of the head. I have seen it at Venus Drive, Bukit Timah Bicycle Trail and Wild Wild West at end corporation road.

(Side view - Bukit Timah Cycling Trail, 9 Jul 09)

(Front view - 9 Jul 09)

Reptile (2) - Malaysian Brown Snake (Xenelaphis Hexagonotus)

This is an uncommon forest snake usually hangs around area near streams, probably hunting for fish and frogs. I have seen it only on 2 occasions, one at Upper Pierce forest and another at Riffle Range forest.


(Upper Pierce - 10 Dec 09)

Reptile (1) - Oriental Whip Snake (Ahaetulla Prasina)

The OWS has a long and slender body which feed on lizards and small birds. It is inoffensive and only mildly venomous. A very photogenic snake. I have seen it at Segar Road bushes, Singapore Botanical Gardens, some bushes near Ngee Ann Polytechnic bus-stop, Macritechi Reservior Trail and the most recent one at Margaret Drive macro site.

(Margaret Drive - 3 Feb 2010)

Amphibian (2) - American Bull Frog (Rana Catesbeiana)

The American Bull Frog is a native of the U.S. and southern Canada. This species has been freed into ponds and reserviors in Singapore. It is the largest frog species in Singapore. This was spotted at a pond in Ang Mo Kio West Town Garden. My first encounter with such a huge frog, about 5 inches long. It was reported that there has been a noticable increse in the no. of this species in our reserviors. It can also be found in Singapore Botanical Gardens.

(Male, Ang Mo Kio West Town Garden - 30 Jan 2010)

The male has ear drum bigger than the size of its eyes while the female is about the same size of its eyes. They are fred for food as their hind legs are muscular and well suited as 'frog-legs' for the local restaurant market.

Amphibian (1) - Copper Cheeked Frog (Rana Chalconota)

The Copper Cheeked frog is a common species that can usually be found near small forest streams. A very cooperative subjects to shoot.


(Bukit Timah Nature Reserve - 18 Feb 09)