In addition about one-third of the 915 butterflies found here are endemic to the country, and over 110 of the more than 130 species of tiger beetle are found nowhere else. The blue whale is the largest marine creature lurking in the seas of the Philippines. Porcupines vary in size considerably: Rothschild's porcupine of South America weighs less than a kilogram (2.2 lb); the crested porcupine found in Italy, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa can grow to well over 27 kg (60 lb). You can find them on gorgonian sea fans that are 52 to 131 feet deep. It’s also small in size, with lengths between one to two inches. Current data shows that there are species that have been found inhabiting the islands of Mindanao, Samar, Bohol, and Leyte. The montane forests are dominated by oak and laurel tree species with little undergrowth. Tarsiers today can also be found in other Asian countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. The Philippine flying lizards from the genus Dracoare well represented here, with about 10 species. I’ve seen quite a few of them, but the bamboo shark and the little blue ringed octopus haven’t yet been spied! This species also features dark-spotted pectoral fins which help it move forward in short distances. The tropical waters of the Philippines host over 150 species of sharks—and the bamboo shark is one of them. It may have a light green or dark and light tan color. With a cluster of over 7,000 volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is a country famous for its spectacular landscapes and incredible biodiversity. At 75 cm, it’s the biggest among its kind. 1. Have seen all but the bamboo shark! And since they have quite peculiar colors, people occasionally label these species as “psychedelic fish.” You can find Mandarin fish in Malapascua Island, serving as one of the main attractions for divers who want to explore it. Locally common to uncommon, the species is found in primary and secondary forest in the mountains and in the lowlands. It includes Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), Critically Endangered (CR), and recently Extinct (EX) species. Six genera are endemic, including the snake genus Myersophis, which is represented by a single species, Myersophis alpestris, on Luzon. endemic to the island of Palawan in the Philippines.It is known locally as durian or landak. Their patagium, a web-like membrane connecting its limbs, is the largest of its kind and is used for gliding distances of up to 330 feet. The beaver is the only rodent in North America that is larger than the North American porcupine. Philippine sea life gives divers great opportunities to spot many amazing sea creatures. It endemic and restricted to the Palawan Faunal Region. Six out of seven endangered sea turtle species call the Philippines home, and there is an abundance of invertebrate and macro life, making this a premiere destination for underwater photographers. , an area that contains the world’s highest coral diversity. This species also inhabits caves, but is commonly found under tree buttresses or in rock crevices. 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10753A3213451.en, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Philippine_porcupine&oldid=985186682, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2012, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 24 October 2020, at 13:57. Isn’t the blue ringed octopus toxic and can kill humans?! 10 Intriguing Fish of the Mediterranean Sea, Scubapro Galileo HUD + Transmitter Product Review, 5 Ways Coral Reefs Are Important to Humans, Top 8 of the Ocean’s Most Poisonous Creatures, The Fascinating Symbiotic Relationship Between Gobies and Shrimp. Snowflake eels frequent rocky and coral reefs, as well as lagoons. this specie is remarkably similar to homo sapiens. Porcupine rays can be found at depths of 3.3 to 98 feet (1 to 30 m). Unique red and purple spots cover the body of this species, which can come in a white or cream hue. Old World porcupines are found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. They’re one of the most well-known sea creatures among snorkeling enthusiasts, too. It spits out venom that’s a thousand times more powerful than cyanide, which is enough to kill 26 humans in minutes. They’ll actively keep an eye on their nest and protect it from intruders, which explains their territorial nature. Full grown adults can weight above 100 tons and stretch to more than 20 meters (76 feet) in length. Lastly, we have the titan triggerfish. These animals live in the tree canopies of heavily forested areas, rarely coming down to the ground. Fun Facts About Porcupine Rays. They also like places with caves and crevices that they can live in. Frogfish also lure prey using the illicium on its body, which works as a fishing rod. Six out of seven endangered sea turtle species call the Philippines home, and there is an abundance of invertebrate and macro life, making this a premiere, 15 Endemic Marine Species in the Philippines, The tropical waters of the Philippines host over 150 species of sharks, and the bamboo shark is one of them. A part of the stingray family, eagle rays are named after the unique spots, wing-like fins, and eagle-like snouts on their bodies. The blue-ringed octopus might seem harmless to you when you first look at it, but it can kill you in an instant. 2. You can spot these fishes swimming in small groups with two to three specimens or in larger groups that can include up to a hundred Moorish idols. In the Philippines, you can find tarsier in the southeastern region of the archipelago. The humpback whale is another massive marine animal that is found within Philippine territory. The long and slender body of this species features lobed fins and an asymmetrical caudal fin. Philippine sea life gives divers great opportunities to spot many amazing sea creatures. Moorish idols are extremely social: They’re excellent partners for chromis, dottybacks, and other species that are just as friendly as them. Common Name: Palawan Porcupine, Scientific Name: Hystrix pumila Local Name: Durian/Landak These waters contain more than 2,500 species of fish and over 500 species of coral, making the Philippines a marine biodiversity hotspot. These areas serve as their hunting grounds at night, where they find small prey, such as crabs and worms, with barbels on their snouts. Next up on our list of common sea creatures in Philippine waters is the snowflake moray eel (echidna nebulosa). Banner image of the P. hungkag, the 10th pseudogekko species identified in the Philippines. It is known locally as durian or landak. Lastly, we have the titan triggerfish. Also, they often eat their prey (which consists of tiny fish and crustaceans) at night. The snowflake eel’s body looks like a snake with a light white-yellow color. New World porcupines (family Erethizontidae) The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is the largest species in the family, usually weighing less than 7 kg (15.4 pounds) though males occasionally grow significantly larger.Its body is up to 80 cm (31 inches) long, with a tail up to 30 cm. The Philippine Porcupine (Hystrix pumila), or the Indonesian Porcupine or the Palawan Porcupine, is a species of rodent in the Hystricidae family (Old World porcupines). The species resembles a disk which adds to their attractiveness. This mammal appears to have no natural enemies. Black and yellow mottled markings cover its body, both of which come in shapes similar to snowflakes, stars, or flowers. and fish species in general. Mosquito Species Mosquitoes are known to spread vector borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. the second sea creature on this list is one of the world’s smallest vertebrates (usually less than 2 centimeters in size). Its body is really long with a shape that fairly resembles a small eel. It measures about 42–93 cm (1.38–3.05 ft) long, not counting a tail of about 2.5–19 cm (0.98–7.48 in) and weighs 3.8–5.4 kg (8.4–11.9 lb). These waters contain more than 2,500 species of fish and over 500 species of coral, making the Philippines a marine biodiversity hotspot. Unlike New World porcupines, Old World porcupines don't climb trees. Apparently, its population is stable, but it is reported to be persecuted by farmers as pests in coconut plantations. This is a list of threatened plant and animal species in the Philippines as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Unique red and purple spots cover the body of this species, which can come in a white or cream hue. Its physical features include a short snout and a fleshy body that features plenty of tubercles. Harlequin shrimps are nocturnal, meaning they only come out at night to consume prey. The body comes in a yellow-greenish color and features evenly spaced black rings all over it. The smallest porcupine is the Rothschilds Porcupine from South America which weighs only 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds). It’s roughly eight centimeters long, making the species one of the smallest of its kind. The amount of rainfall varies with the mountain ranges and can be as high as 10,000 mm in some areas. Apparently, its population is stable, but it is reported to be persecuted by farmers as pests in coconut plantations. Frogfish look quite small, with its biggest species coming in at 12 inches. The species often feeds on starfish, among other echinoderms. 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