BeMUSE features the creatures that call Singapore home

The latest issue of BeMUSE Jul-Sep 11 features a story about Singapore's biodiversity!

In "We're not alone" Marcus Ng shares about the creatures that call Singapore home.

Have a Crabby National Day!

Singapore freshwater crab;
(Photo by David Maitland, from A Guide to Freshwater Life in Singapore)

It's National Day, and I thought that it would be appropriate to highlight some very special fellow Singaporeans.

Where it comes to food, chilli crab has got to be one of our favourite local dishes. And given that it was created here, it certainly is a serious contender for Singapore's national dish.


(Photo by ladyironchef)

The crabs that we most commonly consume in Singapore are the various species of mud crabs (Scylla spp.), with flower crabs (Portunus pelagicus) coming in a distant second. Both kinds of crab are regularly encountered on many of our shores, especially in shallow waters with muddy or sandy seabeds.


Mud crab, Pulau Pawai;


Flower crab, Pulau Sekudu;
(Photos by Ria Tan)

However, did you know that we have some very special crabs? They're way too small to be eaten, but that doesn't mean that they don't deserve attention from fellow Singaporeans.

Singapore's cool colugos: why they glide

Studying Singapore's colugos, researchers including our very own Norman Lim have discovered why these animals glide.

Although called flying lemurs, these creatures are not lemurs and they don't fly!

My Green Space: hornbills, helicopters and more!

Lots of exciting developments and interesting stories in the latest issue of My Green Space Issue 10 Vol 3/2011.

In the lead story Hornbill Happenings: Surprises From Nature learn more about what is happening with our Oriental pied hornbills!

Singapore Biodiversity Encyclopedia is launched

The much anticipated Encyclopedia has been launched! Finally, a great reference for everyone interested in learning and doing more for Singapore's biodiversity.

What does this book reveal about our biodiversity?