FieldHerpForum

Although our site on Taiwan snakes is still a long way from completion, I've already secured the next domain: http://www.snakesofborneo.com.

The island of Borneo is bigger than the state of Texas, but five times richer in serpentofauna. However, although there are well over 150 snake species known on the island, and new ones are being discovered all the time, precious little material has been published on them - the curse of Borneo's legendary unfathomable floral and faunal biodiversity: so many species, so little manpower.

Since I won't be moving to Borneo (Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia, to be exact) before 2012, my own photography opportunities will be limited to occasional short visits - in fact, I have to yet take my first photo of any Bornean serpent

So, if any of you kind-hearted people own or know about any kind of material on Bornean snakes and are willing to let us use it on the website (fully credited, of course), please let me know. We're not just looking for photos, but also for any and all information (books, papers, online resources, contacts with scholars and herpers, etc.) on the subject. At the moment we only have Inger & Stuebing's "Field Guide to the Snakes of Borneo" (1999) for reference.

Thank you very much in advance!!!

Hans, ambitiously

Serpentes aside, I look forward to any Lanthanotus material you may post from your future travels to that island.

Yea, I second that request on the Lanthanotus material.

Twoton, what do you do that you are going to be transferred to Borneo?

A herper friend of mine just went to borneo and said that he had a great time.

Look forward to seeing how this develops Twoton. I have a fascination with places such as those. I actually maintain a couple of Borneo short tailed pythons in my personal collection and I always enjoy the opportunity of having a closer look at the other species that they co-exist with and at the places in which they live.

Good luck on this project!

Phil

Thanks for your kind wishes and interest, everyone!

I'm not being transferred to Borneo, but rather transferring myself . I co-run a translation agency specialized in localizing video games, and our company structure is 100% online-based, meaning we can operate the joint from atop a tree in Papua New Guinea, as long as there's broadband access up there. The reason for the relocation is that apart from rasslin' Taiwan snakes, I also grow tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp.), and both hobbies have sparked my interest in Bornean fauna and flora years ago. After a very intensive visit to Sarawak in 2007 (look for "TT's Summit Report, Parts 1-5"), I decided to relocate my family to Kuching in 2012, the year our kids graduate from elementary school here in TW. In Kuching, they will be able to attend junior and senior high at an affordable British school, and all of us will have the opportunity to experience the marvels of Sarawak's jungles for at least six years (maybe longer, if we decide to stay for good).

And yes, everything you've heard about the place is true: the insane biodiversity, the warm-hearted people, and the great food.

PS: Lanthanotus, huh? Perhaps also a nice breeding pair of pteranodon, while I'm at it?

not sure if it helps with the website, but I would highly recommend "Amphibians and Reptiles of Mount Kinabalu". Obviously it is focused on Kinabalu but it has keys to most known families, genera, and species in Borneo. I have heard very good things about Bako National Park- close to Kuching
Cheers
EW

Thanks, EW! I was aware of that book, but never actually took a closer look at it, as the title seemed to hint at a limited distribution area. I'll get a copy!!

Bako National Park is fantastic.....

yeah it is limited (still great though). They took overall keys and reproduced them with the Kinabalu species in bold type. There are also a couple of "pocket guides"... snakes and other reptiles of Borneo, Lizards of Borneo, and Amphibians of Brunei
EW

I was in Kalimantan, Sarawak and Sabah this past summer, but unfortunately never found any snakes

I do however have PLENTY of pictures of frogs and skinks if you want.

When we were in Kuching we couldn't make reservations for Baku NP, so we went instead to Kubah NP. It's like 40 min away from Kuching (and it's very easy to hitch a ride there, making transport costs almost nothing). One of their claims to fame (along with a Nepenthes garden) is a frog pond. It's a standing water pond that frogs breed in and it's absolutely fantastic. We were there in the dry season and still there was water and at least 10 species of frogs within 10m of the pond. VERY cool. Borneo is an amazing place. I didn't spend much time in Kalimantan (only around Pontianak), but Bornean Malaysia is absolutely one of easiest places to travel, with some of the greatest natural beauty in the world, the friendliest people and always great food. Plus its cheap!

Also, for some cool snakes and decent diving (nothing near Sipidan) check out Pulau Tiga NP in Sabah. They have a sea snake breeding island there (Laticauda colubrina) and it's supposed to be gurrreat.

"Snakes and Other Reptiles of Borneo" by I. Das is a great pocket reference.

Hi Hans,

I could make a few contributions:
http://www.natureswindow.dk/Boiga%20dendrophila.html
http://www.natureswindow.dk/Chrysopelea%20pelias.html
http://www.natureswindow.dk/Dendrelaphis%20caudolineatus.html
http://www.natureswindow.dk/Psammodynastes%20pulverulentus.html

You may let me know the requirements in terms of size and format as well as which of my photos are acceptable for the site.

Regards,
Henrik Bringsøe

Wonderful, thank you very much for that, Henrik! I've been a fan of your site for quite a while now....and always envious as hell

It would be great if you could provide the pix at sizes somewhere around 800 or 1024 pixels (long side). Please click on my profile button to email me.

Thanks again!!

Hans

Fine! The site http://www.natureswindow.dk belongs to my friend Rune Midtgaard. I have quite a number of photos from especially Central Spain, but also from Croatia, the Seychelles, Denmark and Sweden to add when I get time.

I will send you an email a bit later.

Regards,
Henrik Bringsøe

Henrik,

I received your mail and replied.

Thanks!

Hans