croc-a-viper @ sg buloh - march 2014

Spotted an unusual 'S' curve on the water beside a tree through some vegetation. It looked a bit rough. A closer look through the lens confirmed it to be a snake...most likely a mangrove pit viper (a.k.a. shore pit viper). It soon started moving and i saw its head.

This was definitely a pit viper. It must have got caught by the fast rising tide on a low branch and had to take to the water to get to higher wood. It kept swimming to various stems in the water but did not get a snakehold on any of them. After some time on the water surface, it managed to slither up the bark of a small tree. As it moved further up, a small stem with leaves slightly below it moved as well. I did not think that the movement was caused by the snake as it was a rather small snake (about 35 cm long) and was unlikely to cause such movement. 

Looking down, i saw an elongated dark log just below the snake. It had not been there before when the snake had started moving up. I then noticed that the dark log had teeth...very sharp teeth. It was quickly obvious that the snake's swimming on the water surface around the tree had caused a perceptible disturbance which alerted the nearby crocodile to investigate.

The croc eyed the viper for a few seconds before opening its mouth targeting the snake. I had initially assumed that the croc had succeeded in ending the viper's earth time as i could not see any trace of the viper after the croc targeted it. The croc moved away to a nearby rut along the waterline. 

I wondered if the viper could inflict a bite on the croc. The mangrove pit viper is a highly venomous snake after all. 

croc-a-viper from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

(background audio recorded separately on site closeby - dubbed in during editing as mic was switched off during original video recording)

This particular croc is known as the 'Tailless' croc because it was missing its tail after some unfortunate encounter presumably with another croc. 'Tailless' or 'half-a croc' is now one of the larger crocs in the reserve and frequently moves between the main bridge area and the adjacent saltwater pond served by the sluice gate near the main bridge. It was waiting to move from the mangrove into the pond due to the rising tide. Crocs prefer dry land or shallow water to rest in so that they do not have to constantly raise their heads and nostrils above the water to breathe air. They would have to constantly do this if stuck in deeper water.

A few minutes later, I saw the pit viper on a nearby low branch. It appeared fine and must have escaped the croc's jaws. Perhaps there had been a exercise of professional courtesy... between two reptiles with unforgiving personalities. 

Read more about these amazing animals :-

http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/reptilia/porosus.htm

http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/snakes/purpureomaculatus.htm
and also about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve : https://www.sbwr.org.sg

otters teasing a croc @ sg buloh - march 2014

Was at SBWR observing a Striated Heron run about a small island chasing bugs near a large snoozing reptile with sharp pointy teeth when there was a commotion towards the right. The heron had also stopped in its tracks and looked to the right as if with some concern that the tranquility of the morning was about to be interrupted. I panned right to see some dark slithery shapes crawling up the slope.

These were two smooth-coated otters out for a morning (it was about 7.45am) swim through the reserve. The basking saltwater crocodile immediately sprang to life doing a 180' in a split micro-second snapping at one of the otters when it came too close to it.  Otters and crocodiles do not share a cordial relationship and frequently gnash teeth at each other.

The two otters, with the smaller one doing most of the work, taunted the crocodile (guesstimate at slightly over 2 m long) repeatedly. Both otters kept 'barking' at the crocodile whilst moving around the crocodile. The larger (quite obviously a male) otter appeared to keep a slightly wider minimum distance from the crocodile as compared to the smaller otter. After getting taunted quite a bit, the crocodile lunged at the closer smaller otter moving about two feet forward in a flash.
otters teasing a croc @ SBWR - March 2014 from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

Both otters then decided they had had enough and slinkered off to the far side of the island before disappearing under the water submarining (notice the trail of bubbles appearing under the water) further into the northern corner of the pond leaving the crocodile to resume its siesta.

These two otters were first seen about a month before. They have been seen occasionally visiting various seawater and freshwater ponds in the reserve. They seem especially sensitive to human contact and generally stay away from people. This was unlike another lone otter also occasionally seen in the reserve which seemed relatively unbothered when in close proximity to people. There had been a family of 7 otters (2 adults and 5 pups) in the reserve at the start of the year but this family disappeared shortly after the year started. It is possible that the two otters seen in the clip are from that group of five. If so, one might wonder what happened to the rest of that group. The larger male otter had a noticeable wound on the rear right of its tail near its rear right leg. Perhaps that was received from another close encounter with a crocodile.

Read more about these wonderful animals here :
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/verts/smooth_otter.htm
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/mammals/perspicillata.htm
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/reptilia/porosus.htm
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/Butorides_striatus.htm
and also about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve : https://www.sbwr.org.sg

half a croc (and then some) @ SBWR-02Jan2014

Q : Hang on, What's going on here? 

A : a whole lot of good loving.

(c) Jeffrey Teo, 02Jan2014

JT, a frequent visitor to the SBWR was at the main bridge at about 5.30pm when he spotted the resident no-tail crocodile. There was a smaller croc beside it. Soon the two crocs got really close ... and the smaller croc mounted the bigger no-tail. The mating went on for about 20 mins much to the delight of the few photographers at the bridge at the time.

Because the no-tail croc (let's call it 'half-a-croc') was below the other croc, it would seem logical that half-a-croc was female and that the croc on top was male. 

(Update : on a subsequent day, a friend had seen half-a-croc on top of another croc....so the issue as to whether half-a-croc is male or female is far from settled.)

Let's hope the crocs do successfully have a brood of young ones to perpetuate the lineage of Sungei Buloh estuarine crocodiles. This will ensure that visitors can continue to appreciate the crocodiles in their natural element.

Estuarine Crocodiles are listed as 'Critically Endangered' in the Singapore Red List of Threatened Animals. Despite all the development along Singapore's coastal regions, it is a welcome sight to see estuarine crocodiles surviving at Sungei Buloh. 

Find out more about the fabulous estuarine crocodile :

http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/reptilia/porosus.htm

http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/lizards/estuarine_crocodile.htm

the IUCN crocodile specialist group http://iucncsg.org/

http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2013/12/crocodile-what-should-i-do.html

http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/12/humans-not-on-crocodiles-menu-at-sungei.html

Here's what the SBWR says about meeting a croc (listen up coz it is good advice) :

(from http://www.sbwr.org.sg/visitorinfo/frequentlyaskedquestions/)

Advice on crocodiles

Estuarine crocodiles are known to inhabit the waters of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. These are wild animals and they have a reputation for being aggressive.

Visitors are strongly advised to stay on visitor routes and not venture off the paths. On occasion, the crocodiles have been spotted basking on the visitor routes. Should visitors encounter a crocodile on the path, they should stay calm and back away slowly. Do not provoke the animal. Staff are present to help visitors should they need any assistance – please call the information counter at Tel: 6794 1401. Under no circumstances should visitors approach a crocodile. As with all wild animals, crocodiles should be treated with caution.

Crocodile warning signs have been posted at various parts of the Reserve
where they are most often spotted. Visitors are advised to heed these signs
for their own safety.

Visitors with feedback and suggestions can write to info@sbwr.org.sg or call our Information Counter at 6794 1401. They can report crocodile sightings taking note of the location, date, time and number of crocodiles seen. The information will help the Reserve further monitor and track the crocodiles’ movements.

-------------------

Are there any persistent threats to the crocodiles?

Yes, fishermen who continue to poach in the waters of the Sungei Buloh reserve pose a persistent risk to the animals of the reserve such as the otters and the crocodiles. These fishermen use long driftnets to cordon off long stretches of the coastline and this results in unintended bycatch such as rare birds and even crocodiles. These poaching fishermen set up camp at the nearby Kranji Reservoir Park and have been engaging in long term sale of fish caught from the surrounding waters. These unlicensed commercial fishermen have taken up residence at the park. Enforcement action should be stepped up against these fishermen who continue to pose a significant risk to the animals entering or leaving the reserves. 

See also : http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.sg/2011/05/apathetic-fisherman-sbwr-01may2011.html

Baby crocodiles would also be at risk of being eaten by larger animals such as larger crocodiles, monitor lizards, otters and even large shore birds such as herons and milky storks. Croc eggs may also be eaten by monitor lizards raiding the nest. The crocodiles are just one part of the whole ecosystem. It is fabulous that Singapore has the crocs!!

disappearing croc @ sg buloh wetland reserve - Oct2012

 I was up in the tower aerie looking down when a fast moving log caught my eye.

The 'log' was about 2 metres long and it seemed to know when it was being watched for it soon submerged and disappeared below the water surface. It later surfaced closeby showing just its head for a brief moment before it disappeared again.

Bet you'd think more than twice before you get into the mangroves next.

disappearing croc @ sg buloh wetland reserve - Oct2012 from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.

solar croc @ SBWR

This croc was on the sandbank at the SBWR Hide 1B in the late morning soaking up the sun's warmth for more than an hour. It provided the many morning visitors a great spectacle as they gawked at its full body prescence out of water.

Crocodiles are cold-blooded and therefore need to warm up quite a bit before they get active. This croc was moderating the heat by switching positions and panting with its mouth open.

Read more about the salt-water croc here :
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/issues/5501/news5550.html
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/reptilia/porosus.htm
http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/lizards/estuarine_crocodile.htm
http://www.sbwr.org.sg/Wetlands/text/06-133-1.htm
http://www.oneworldmagazine.org/tales/crocs/index.html

juvenile estuarine croc @ SBWR 26June2011

Whilst walking towards Platform 1, a visitor mentioned that there was a small croc around Platform 1. Knowing that many many visitors mistake the ubiquitous malayan water monitors for crocodiles (and even komodo dragons), I wondered if the right ID had been made and looked out for the 'croc' when I got to the Platform. Despite a good effort at looking, I did not spot any notable reptile. I then occupied myself with looking at some raptors in the sky above and also keeping a lookout for the also ubiquitous poachers who had earlier kayaked their way to Pulau Buloh.

Robert H was out for a walk and very quickly spotted the juvenile croc at the water's edge near the row of wooden stakes facing Johor. I had missed the obvious. It was about a metre long and had a nice mottled yellow sand-black coloration. After basking for a few moments, it suddenly hurriedly scampered into the shallow water beyond the stakes. This was in response to a malayan water monitor which was approaching. Although the water monitor was slightly larger than the juvenile crocodile, the croc had decided not to risk an encounter with it and moved off out of the way into the water beyond the stakes instead. Once the water monitor had passed and moved a little further along, the crocodile moved back across the gap in the stakes to its previous position. (The crocs at SBWR are known to feast on the water monitors. Perhaps this one would one day make a meal out of the same water monitor).

extended vid clip(w a passing lizard & music):

Interestingly enough, crocs do blink occasionally and sometimes also pant (both with and without their mouths closed). It's throat could be observed moving more rapidly at times as if it were hyperventilating. Another point to note is that the rear feet of the croc were noticeably webbed. I wonder if the same were for the larger adult crocs (or does the 'webbing' get absorbed over time as the crocs get older).

This juvenile croc was lucky to have escaped the battery of driftnets which are usually set up by poachers within or just outside the SBWR area. There is a previous recent record of another crocodile which had gotten entangled in a fishnet and drowned. Click here to read about that.

(There was also some brief info from another frequent visitor that some photographers had seen a large heron trapped in a driftnet and which had drowned in the waters near Platform 1 just the week before. Will try to find out more about this.)

Another visitor that morning has also seen the crocodile and put up a blogpost ;
http://lifes-indulgences.blogspot.com/2011/06/small-croc-at-sbwr.html


Read more about the Estuarine Crocodile here :
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/reptilia/porosus.htm

and a recent encounter where a much larger croc at SBWR made a quick meal out of a large water monitor! :
http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2011/01/a-lizards-last-moments.html
http://sgn090608.blogspot.com/2011/01/110115-sungei-buloh.html


How do you distinguish between a water monitor and a crocodile?
http://www.sbwr.org.sg/wetlands/text/06-133-1.htm