Hong Kong-based Zoologist and Wildlife Educator
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Oriental Ratsnake – Hong Kong Wildlife | 水律 – 香港野生動物
One of the most commonly seen snakes in Hong Kong, non-venomous, growing to 150 to up to 255 cm. The Oriental ratsnake (Ptyas mucosa) is also known as Common ratsnake, Indian rat snake, ghora pachar, darash or dhaman. The proper form of the species name is mucosa, as Ptyas is a feminine word form. Older…
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Leopard Cat – Hong Kong Wildlife | 豹貓 – 香港野生動物
The only native cat of Hong Kong – The Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) Civet cats are not cats, and the South China tigers (Panthera tigris amoyensis) has been locally extinct long ago. Leopard cats are as big as some larger domestic cats, with a body length of 40-60 cm, and weighing 2-3 kg. Do not…
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Hong Kong Whipping Frog – Hong Kong Wildlife | 斑腿泛樹蛙 – 香港野生動物
Hong Kong whipping frog (Polypedates megacephalus), also called Spot-legged tree frog, is a species in the shrub frog family (Rhacophoridae). In Hong Kong, it is more commonly known as “Brown tree frog”. But this name is otherwise applied to a few other species of frogs such as Litoria ewingii and Litoria littlejohni of Australia in…
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King Cobra – Hong Kong Wildlife | 眼鏡王蛇 – 香港野生動物
Every time I ask the boys, from young boys to teenagers to young men, “What’s your favorite snake?” I definitely hear King cobra more than any other snakes! Despite the fact that it doesn’t have the deadliest venom comparing to the Inland taipan, the King cobra still holds a special place in many boys’ hearts…
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Long-tailed Sun Skink – Hong Kong Wildlife | 長尾南蜥 – 香港野生動物
The Long-tailed sun skink (Eutropis longicaudata) is also called Long-tailed mabuya. It is 1 of 11 species of skinks in Hong Kong growing to about 40 cm. Other than Hong Kong, it is also found in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Eutropis longicaudata (Hallowell, 1857)Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: SquamataFamily: ScincidaeGenus: EutropisSpecies:…
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Chinese Box Turtle – Hong Kong Wildlife | 黃緣閉殼龜 – 香港野生動物
There are only 5 species of freshwater turtles native to Hong Kong. But more than 5 other species can be found in here, and they were introduced. This is one of them. Chinese box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) is also called Yellow-margined box turtle, or Golden-headed turtle. Cuora flavomarginata (Gray, 1863)Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: TestudinesSuborder: CryptodiraSuperfamily:…
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Amboina Box Turtle – Hong Kong Wildlife | 馬來閉殼龜 – 香港野生動物
There are only 5 species of freshwater turtles native to Hong Kong. But more than 5 other species can be found in here, and they were introduced. This is one of them. Amboina box turtle (Cuora amboinensis) is also called Southeast Asian box turtle or Malayan box turtle. Cuora amboinensis (Daudin, 1802)Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder:…
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Greater Coucal – Hong Kong Wildlife | 褐翅鴉鵑 – 香港野生動物
This is a Greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), or crow pheasant, in my backyard. Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815)Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: AvesOrder: CuculiformesFamily: CuculidaeGenus: CentropusSpecies: sinensis See more of my encounters with Hong Kong Wildlife. 褐翅鴉鵑、大毛雞、烏鴉雉、毛雞、紅毛雞
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Yellow-crested Cockatoo – Hong Kong Wildlife | 小葵花鳳頭鸚鵡 – 香港野生動物
I would be in and around the Mid-levels almost every day when I’m in Hong Kong. You can easily find these beautiful white parrots in there. But did you know that they were rarer than the Black-faced spoonbills you always heard of? In Hong Kong, they are commonly seen in Mid-levels, Central, Wan Chai, Tai…
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Pallas’s Squirrel – Hong Kong Wildlife | 赤腹松鼠 – 香港野生動物
Squirrels are everywhere in the world, with the exception of Antarctica. These rodents can even be found in the Arctic Circle. But did you know that, like Australia, there were no squirrels in Hong Kong originally? They were introduced. There are 200 species in the squirrel family (Sciuridae) – Chipmunks, marmots, groundhogs, flying squirrels, prairie…
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Burmese Python – Hong Kong Wildlife | 蟒蛇 – 香港野生動物
Gentle giant – the Burmese python is the largest native species in Hong Kong (in length) which I feel more comfortable catching than many smaller snakes. Not saying they won’t bite though. Size does matter, but length or girth?Wild pythons in Hong Kong used to be much larger back in the 50s. The record-holder was…
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Small Indian Civet – Hong Kong Wildlife | 小靈貓 – 香港野生動物
Civets (or sometimes called civet cats, though they are not cats) are small, lean, mostly nocturnal mammal native to tropical forests of Asia and Africa. Kopi luwak (also called civet coffee, caphe cut chon, fox-dung coffee, kape alamid) is a coffee that is prepared using coffee cherries that have been eaten and partly digested by…
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Asian Black-spined Toad – Hong Kong Wildlife | 黑眶蟾蜍 – 香港野生動物
Asian black-spined toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) is also called Asian common toad, black-spectacled toad, or just Asian toad. It is probably the most common amphibian in Hong Kong. It is also widely distributed throughout Asia from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, southern China, Taiwan, and Macau to Malaysia, Singapore, and…
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Many-banded Krait – Hong Kong Wildlife | 銀環蛇 – 香港野生動物
Many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus), or Multi-banded krait, is much smaller than its cousin Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus) but is surprisingly deadlier – the most venomous krait in the world! DistributionIn Hong Kong, it’s widely distributed in New Territories and on some islands. Outside Hong Kong, it’s found in much of central and southern China and…
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Banded Krait – Hong Kong Wildlife | 金環蛇 – 香港野生動物
Strangely, this is a “tame” kind of deadly snake. This kind of black-and-yellow rarely bites, but if it does it’s gonna kill. The Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) is a large, venomous snake growing to anywhere from 100 up to 210 cm (3’3″ to 6’11”). It is larger but less venomous than its cousin, the Many-banded…
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Pangolin – Hong Kong Wildlife | 穿山甲 – 香港野生動物
This mammal has a lot in common with the porcupine. It is also nocturnal, slow-moving, and with high protection of the body made out of keratin. But unlike the porcupine, this one is rare. Extremely rare, critically endangered, and the number 1 most trafficked mammal in the world. Did you know that we have pangolins in…
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Porcupine – Hong Kong Wildlife | 箭豬 – 香港野生動物
If you will go on a night hike this is possibly the easiest animal to spot. The only porcupine species in Hong Kong is the Malayan porcupine (Hystrix brachyura). I found these spiky fellows in Kowloon Peak. It has become obviously more common in the Mid-levels along Blacks Link, Bowen Road, and the Victoria Peak,…
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Red-billed Blue Magpie – Hong Kong Wildlife | 藍喜鵲 – 香港野生動物
Flying right outside my house comes these cheeky birds. They don’t only rob nests they also chow up snakes like sucking up noodles. Saw that. Nope. Didn’t “save” the snakes. Red-billed blue magpie (Urocissa erythroryncha) is a member of the crow family. Not the most popular bird in Hong Kong but its Taiwanese cousin, Formosan…
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Green Sea Turtle – Hong Kong Wildlife | 綠海龜 – 香港野生動物
Did you know that sea turtles would come to Hong Kong? There are 7 species of sea turtles in the world, and surprisingly all of them have been spotted in Hong Kong waters. How amazing! Our most frequent visitor is the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Young turtles are carnivores, preying on crabs, shrimps, jellyfish,…
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Golden Coin Turtle – Hong Kong Wildlife | 金錢龜 – 香港野生動物
The Chinese three-striped box turtle (Cuora trifasciata), or better known as Golden coin turtle in Chinese, used to be very common when I was a kid which I refuse to provide the number of years ago. However, now it has become critically endangered due to habitat destruction and poaching. This species is now very rare…
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White Moth Bug – Hong Kong Wildlife | 白蛾蠟蟲 – 香港野生動物
This is a Flatid planthopper (Lawana imitata), or commonly known as White moth bugs, I found in Sha Tau Kok, northern Fanling, New Territories. It can also be found in China and Vietnam. They live in trees. Adults are active from May to October. I think they look so elegant and beautiful, but farmers just…
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Giant Golden Orb-weaving Spider – Hong Kong Wildlife | 人面蜘蛛 – 香港野生動物
One of the most common spiders in Hong Kong, the Giant golden orb-weaver (Nephila pilipes) can be found in primary and secondary forests almost anywhere in Hong Kong. This species has a wide distribution throughout Asia, China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and also Papua…
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Changeable Lizard – Hong Kong Wildlife | 變色樹蜥 – 香港野生動物
One of the most common lizards in Hong Kong is Calotes versicolor.It has many common names: Changeable lizard, Crested tree lizard, Oriental garden lizard, Eastern garden lizard, and even Bloodsucker. Common throughout Hong Kong including all major islands, it is also widely distributed in Asia. These lizards can grow up to 40centimeters. They are sun-loving…
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Big Cats Roaming Freely In The Wild May Not Always Be The Lucky Ones
Everyone is talking about “Tiger King”. Now you probably have an idea how big cats like lions and tigers are kept in captivity. You may think that they could have a better life if they were in their natural habitats. I have spent a lot of time in Africa, and I did not always see…
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Hong Kong Newt – Hong Kong Wildlife | 香港蠑螈 – 香港野生動物
We have many native frogs, but only 1 tailed amphibian (salamander or newt). The Hong Kong Newt, or Hong Kong Warty Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) – I have usually found them in clean mountain streams in Lantau, Hong Kong Island, and the eastern and northern parts of New Territories. It was once believed to be an…
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Water Monitor – Hong Kong Wildlife | 水巨蜥 – 香港野生動物
A gray area in Hong Kong fauna. Once thought to be locally extinct. Now they are here again! Some think they are native. Others think they are imports. Varanus salvator (Laurenti, 1768)Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: SquamataFamily: VaranidaeGenus: VaranusSpecies: salvator Where in HK?Very rare – reservoirs, rivers, Mai Po marshes Size: 1.5 – 3.2 m /…
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Eurasian Eagle-owl – Hong Kong Wildlife | 雕鴞 – 香港野生動物
The largest owl inhabits the smallest concrete jungle in Hong Kong. How intriguing! Birdwatching normally takes place during the day, except for owls. There are 9 species of owls you can possibly spot in Hong Kong. The most common species is the Collared scops owl (Otus lettia) which is a small one usually no bigger…
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Bamboo Snake – Hong Kong Wildlife | 青竹蛇 – 香港野生動物
This green beauty is responsible for the vast majority of snake bites in Hong Kong, or possibly southern Asia. Trimeresurus albolabris (Gray, 1842)Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ReptiliaOrder: SquamataSuborder: SerpentesFamily: ViperidaeGenus: (Cryptelytrops) TrimeresurusSpecies: albolabris Where in HK?Very common – low hilly areas, grasslands, cultivated fields Size: 50 – 90 cm / 1’8″ – 2’11”Distribution: Southern AsiaHabitat: ArborealDiet:…
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Hong Kong Wildlife You May Encounter On A Hike
Hikers “saving” baby owls from naturally predated by a snake was publicly praised by pet welfare groups and “animal lovers” because the baby owl looks innocent and the snake looks evil? I believe most hikers have a good heart. Many are good pet owners. But they may want to learn a bit more about how…
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The Most Misunderstood Hairstyle
They say dreadlocks are ghetto. They say guys with long hair and beard are homeless. They say reptiles are lowlifes. They call others lower to make themselves sound like upper. They keep mocking and laughing at you until you show them how bright you’re shining. Matter of fact, I couldn’t even care less. Didn’t even…
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Spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog – Hong Kong Wildlife | 花细狹口蛙 – 香港野生動物
Cute little mouth in the 852. I rarely post local species doesn’t mean I don’t do field trips (or herping) in here. It’s just there’re too many animals around the globe that are piquing my “never-canceled” curiosity. Now, staying at home, it’s never been a better time to re-explore Home Kong. This Hong Kong resident…
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A Full Newspaper Page Of Me Today
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Why Kobe Bryant is called Black Mamba but The Snake is Not Black
Why did Kobe Bryant choose Black Mamba when there are cobra, viper, rattlesnake, tiger snake, krait, and 600 other venomous snakes in the world? Let me recap a few cool things about this snake probably most people didn’t know: Why “Black” Mamba When It’s Not Black?Its body is not black but olive, yellowish-brown, khaki or…
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Redemption Song Of My 2 Months In Madagascar
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Wild Hedgehog Facts & Differences From Porcupines, Echidnas, and Tenrecs
African Four-Toed or Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) In this video I’m talking about: – The differences between African hedgehogs, European hedgehogs, Porcupines of Asia, Echidnas of Australia, and Tenrecs of Madagascar – Relationship with other mammals through evolution – Self-anointing behavior – Crepuscular animals – How to stay cool while being bit by a hedgehog…
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My Accomplishments in 2018
A lot has happened this year. To the now me, 2017 is so five years ago. January & February Kenya- Went on a decent, British colonial style safari which was not quite typical of me. Uganda- Found and got up close and personal with a band of wild Mountain Gorillas up to 400+ lbs. and…
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Kong Boy vs Kong Band
Kong boy is me (Hong Kong). Kong band is a group of gorillas (not Gorillaz the band but band is the collective noun for gorillas). I’m going to share my Kong moment – The biggest animal I’ve touched in the wild in 2018 was the Silverback Mountain Gorilla of Uganda! I also bear-hugged the “more…
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The Rarest in Madagascar
The Ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora), or Angonoka tortoise, may look like just any tortoise to most people. But if you know a bit about reptiles you would realize this is the number 1 rarest tortoise in the world. It is also one of the top 10 rarest animals on earth – significantly rarer than the…
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Chameleons in Madagascar I Encountered
In my last 6-week trip to Madagascar, I have been to most of the districts in the country except the extreme north such as Nosy Be where I already visited a few times in the past. I went on field trips every day (and night). There have been 183 chameleons in my findings. Here I’m…
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Earless Monitor Lizard – Hidden Gems of the Borneo Jungle
Science doesn’t know it well — The Earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) is among the lizards that are least known to science. It is the last remaining species in the entire family Lanthanotidae. Until recently, only fewer than 100 specimens had ever been known since 1877 when the species was first described. Most are kept…
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Talking Animals on Radio
Haven’t been on radio for a while and yesterday I talked about my previous trip to Madagascar and especially the precious encounter with the Plougshare tortoise. I also talked about the animal educational program we have been running for a while. Big shoutout to Annalie chow from RTHK 3 for inviting me and letting my…
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Frogs in Madagascar I Encountered
Frogs are the only amphibians in Madagascar. There are no toads, salamanders, newts, or caecilians. Malagasy painted mantella (Mantella madagascariensis)
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Lizards in Madagascar I Encountered
There are over 300 species of lizards in Madagascar. During the trip, I’ve come across countless lizards that were mostly Chameleons, Leaf-tailed geckos, and Day geckos. Other than these 3 popular types of lizards, there had been some lesser-known species I found that are no less interesting. Three-eyed lizard (Chalarodon madagascariensis) One of the 8…
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Day Geckos in Madagascar I Encountered
Phelsuma is a genus of geckos mostly found in Mauritius and Madagascar. Day geckos are especially easier for me to spot than other geckos not only because of their bright green color but also their unusually diurnal behavior. I found them not only in the field but also in many of the rooms I stayed…
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Leaf-tailed Geckos in Madagascar I Encountered
Uroplatus is a genus of geckos, commonly known as leaf-tail geckos, which are endemic to Madagascar. If you think chameleons are experts at camouflage I’d say the leaf-tailed geckos are the masters of camouflage. At some point, they could be at the same difficulty level to spot in the jungle as stick insects. Not only does…
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Lemurs in Madagascar I Encountered
Indri (Indri indri) Once upon a time, there were extinct lemurs as big as gorillas. Today, the Indri is the largest extant lemur species. But it is critically endangered, too.
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Mammals in Madagascar I Encountered
Most of my sightings of mammals in Madagascar are lemurs, obviously. I’d put them in another post – Lemurs in Madagascar I Encountered Lemurs are attractive but I wouldn’t forget that there were many interesting and lesser-known mammals I encountered in Madagascar. Lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi) Surprisingly, the tenrecs are related to sea cows and elephants…
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Aye-aye, Devil of Madagascar
This is one of the Aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) I found in Madagascar. They are lemurs but quite a different one. Despite their large body size, the Aye-ayes took me a lot longer to find than other lemurs. It means death when its elongated middle finger points at someone, locals believe. The Aye-aye would scare the…
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Baobab and Tortoise Symbiosis
The largest succulent and the most trafficked tortoise. So old, so slow, yet (probably) not too wise. The other night with the full moon, I was there in the extreme south of Madagascar watching these 2 symbolic Malagasy creatures living in harmonic symbiosis. I was sitting next to both of them all night and loving…
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I Climbed up a Big Fat Baobab
To celebrate my encounter with the super rare Ploughshare tortoises in Madagascar, I decided to free climb the biggest baobab in the area barefoot. These chubby beauties are straight and surprisingly smooth. Baobabs are so much harder to climb than most trees. I still ain’t sure how I managed to climb up so high. I…
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