The NHC (Naked Hermit Crabs) were out in action again, of course with our clothes on. =P
This time, we made our presence on Sentosa!
Where were we heading, here?
Nope, this is where we were heading with members of the public who signed up with us for a guided walk at the natural shore of Sentosa.
But my role for the day was not a guide, i was holding the role of "If you don't see any thing, blame me" tag aka hunter seeker... which means i was to look for interesting things for the visitors to view before they appear. Here's one of the things i do if i found something. (picture below)
A headache which most inter-tidal hunter seekers face is that the tide has not gone down to a level which i could easily spot things. This was the case, thus if any participant who was there on the day and wondering why we were taking a long time before you came to the shore. It was because that the tide hasn't reach a level which was low enough and i only managed to find a couple of beautiful shells due to the same reason.Second headache for hunter seekers is, "I cannot find anything", thus a never-give-up approach and "i need more help" plea. hahaha.
Thus, Helen was on the scene to help me out. And look what she found. First 'discovery', a copper-banded butterfly fish! (picture below)
Discovery Note:1. They have a large ‘false eye’ on its dorsal fin which fools predators into thinking that it is a big fish.
2. And if a predator does attacks it, the fish unexpectedly swim ‘backwards’.
3. They have a long snout with brush-like teeth to suck up coral polyps and small prey from crevices.
And the kids on the family trail led by Marcus found this, second 'discovery', a mosaic crab! (picture below)
Discovery Note:1. This is one of the most poisonous crab in Singapore.
2. Thus, we give the strongest advice not to eat this, although biologists say that everything can be eaten once, but they do not mention what will happen to you after that meal...
As we found more things, one swimming crab, one leaf slug, one discodoris nudibranch, a hairy crab (which ran away), the groups on the adventure trail (longer route which led participants trek on the rocky shores of Sentosa) soon arrived to what i was (picture below).
And hearing them say, "Hey, an octopus!", i went over to take a peek. Here's the third 'discovery', an octopus (picture below)
Discovery Note:
1. Octopuses are characterized by their eight arms (not tentacles), usually bearing suction cups.
2. They have a relative short life span, and some specials live for as little as six months.
3. They have three hears! Two pump blood through each of their two gills, while the third pumps blood through the body.
4. They are also highly intelligent, probably more intelligent than any other order of invertebrates (any animal without a spinal column).
The participants also spotted another leaf slug amongst the seaweeds, fourth 'discovery' (picture below)
Discovery Note:
1. Leaf slugs feed on seaweeds by poking a hole in them and then suck out the contents within the seaweed.
2. Due to this feeding behaviour, they also suck in the chloroplast, which helps in photosynthesis for plants. This chloroplast then continues to photosynthesis in the leaf slug which in turn provides the leaf slug with extra food. Talk about supplements!
3. Anyway, that’s why leaf slugs are green; it’s due to the presence of chloroplast…
4. I wonder what will happen to us (humans) if we can do the same thing as the leaf slugs, would we turn green…hahaha
Anyway, by this time, i was kinda of free to move around and some Crabbies in action. Here's Ron (in the centre) in guiding mode (picture below).
And as this was a evening walk, we were treated to the wonderful scene of a sunset (picture below). What a way to end the walk!
Thanks to everyone who came for the walk, all NHC who were presented and of course, Helen, who made my job a whole lot less stressing... =)
Extra: You can read Sijie (new naked crabbie) 's bog entry on his OJT and many other things he saw on the adventure trail, just click here.
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