FieldHerpForum

Some people insist that apart from snakes, Taiwan is also home to other animals (although I think that's just Communist propaganda). Here are few that I spotted this summer (I still strongly suspect they were released by Communist infiltrators to confuse us God-fearing snakers)

Guenther's Frog, Rana guentheri (Duh.)


Red Percher, Neurothemis ramburii. Yes, I'm quite proud of that photo myself. Even if it's a total fluke



Kuhl's Fanged Frog, Rana kuhlii. As someone much smarter, wiser, and more handsome put it once: "Indeed a very "kuhl" anuran - the males sport two fang-like bone protuberances in the lower jaw, which, sadly, are not meant for saber-toothing bluebottles, but serve as weapons in courtship fights."



This fantastic abode, surely inspired by the organic architecture of the late 60's, is home to a species of paper wasp. Not sure about the species.





Taipei Tree Frog, Rhacophorus taipeianus, green phase.





Mantis sp., eating her hubby. Stephen Jay Gould wrote an excellent essay on sexual cannibalism ("Only his Wings Remained", part of the essay collection "The Flamingo's Smile"). More on this here.





Formosa macaques, Macaca cyclopis. Full story and more pictures here.






Miantian Tree Frog, Chirixalus idiootocus. This little guy hopped on my buddy's camera when he bent over for a closer look at the beast.

Great shots! I can't explain why but I've always loved guentheri. I've heard and read in the past few years that biologists in asia are now referring to many of the brown wood frogs of asia, similar to the US Wood Frog, as being in the genus "Hylarana". Have you heard anything about this? I'm wondering if that's just people keeping on top of the latest research or if it's starting to be accepted by the general biological community.

Seeing small primates while herping would be crazy, especially if snakes are close by.... Capturing snake vs macaques images would be awesome, if it ever happens.

I would love to herp near monkeys, you're killing me with these awesome posts.

Thanks very much, fellers! Hylarana - never heard of it. But I'll ask my TW herp guru who's about to publish the be-all, end-all book on TW herps in October.

Hans-
I love reading your posts. They are so entertaining, and the pictures are great. Sometimes I'll read them every time I visit the forum- they are just phenomenal!
I look forward to your next installment!
--Berkeley

I love the monkeys!

Thanks again, all! There'll be more installments soon.....I herp every day, and our season is much longer than in North America. In fact, I just came back from a three-hour after-dinner walk that yielded a Greater Green Snake, two Formosa Wolf Snakes, and five (5) Green Tree Vipers. That would be another post right there....if I hadn't promised to take it easy on the green for a while

You're winning over Justin's heart with the dragonfly pic, and I really enjoy all of your posts. I liked the first macaque shot best.

Thanks, Andy. Who's Justin?

LOL, me I guess.

Hans,

The nest of the paper wasps is a real work of art. It is really amazing.

Do the macaques behave themselves? I have birded near Long-tailed and Pig-tailed before and sometimes, they would become agro by my presence. On one occasionn in Malaysia, Long-tailed raced down to branches above me with fangs bared when I tried squeaking to attract a hidden babbler.

Regards,
David

Hi David,

the macaques behave themselves as far as I know, but the Park Administration has still put up warning signs. They do raid orchards and fields, yet are not as used to direct interaction with humans and thus not as arrogant as their nasty, filthy, flea-ridden, and thuggish cousins in South East Asia (sorry about the non-PC outburst here ). However, the behavior I could observe lets me think it won't be long before they're just the same nuisance as the rest of the macaque family.