Meet the Philippine Wildlife World Record Holders

80

By GeneralHowitzer

Big or Small Philippine Fauna is Distinct yet Fascinating...

(Second of two parts) The diversity of the Philippines in terms of marine life and flora and fauna is truly spectacular as it is lavished with interesting features that will truly sets them apart from the other animals that inhabits the planet. This article endeavors to highlight the distinct features of these wild and peculiar animals found in the Philippines.

Here are some pictures or images of rare animals in the Philippines

The consummate hunter in the wild the mighty and humble Philippine Monkey Eating Eagle is in danger of losing its fragile habitat, due to illegal logging and slash-and-burn farming.
See all 8 photos
The consummate hunter in the wild the mighty and humble Philippine Monkey Eating Eagle is in danger of losing its fragile habitat, due to illegal logging and slash-and-burn farming.

Here are some animals with remarkable characteristics and features that are found in the Philippines:

The Philippine Monkey Eating Eagle or the Philippine Eagle. Featured in the hub by GeneralHowitzer titled The Conservation of the World’s Rarest Bird of Prey, this majestic bird of prey is the rarest, and second largest of its kind in the planet. Has the scientific name Pithecophaga Jefferyi, this mighty eagle can be found in Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. Highly endangered, the Philippine Eagle resembles some similarities with the Papua New Guinea’s Harpy Eagle. The Philippine Eagle is one of the 400 exotic bird species in the country.

A gentle glider in mid air Kagwang is distinct on its own. Photo from flickr.com
A gentle glider in mid air Kagwang is distinct on its own. Photo from flickr.com

Kagwang

Kagwang or also known by its scientific name Cynocephalus Volans, is featured already in GeneralHowitzer’s article The Philippine Wildlife :: Rare Animals in the Philippines, and reputed to be one of the most unique creatures on earth that found residence in the country. This lovely animal is the subject of dispute among zoologists, since it is still uncertain if this animal specie belongs to the flying lemur family found only in Madagascar and Comoros Island.

The smallest bat in the world - the Bamboo Bat of the Philippines. Photo from trulscronberg.com
The smallest bat in the world - the Bamboo Bat of the Philippines. Photo from trulscronberg.com

Bamboo Bat

Bamboo Bat – The smallest bat in the world only measures 4 cms. in length, has a wingspan of 15 cms.,  and weights up to measly 1.5 grams. This tiny bat specie has the scientific name Vespertilionid.

This creature is neither Count Dracula nor a Fox. This is the world's heaviest bat in the world and its staple diet is consists of fruits and insects. Photo from weyakin.blogspot.com
This creature is neither Count Dracula nor a Fox. This is the world's heaviest bat in the world and its staple diet is consists of fruits and insects. Photo from weyakin.blogspot.com
The world's largest bat in the world, the rare Golden Crown Flying Fox. Photo from flickr.com
The world's largest bat in the world, the rare Golden Crown Flying Fox. Photo from flickr.com

Giant Flying Fox

Giant Flying Fox – It is a double celebration for the Philippines when it comes to the bats category, since the country also boasts of the heaviest bat, that is, the Giant Flying Fox. Though not a fox as what its name implies, this is the heaviest of all bats in the planet, weighing 2.5 kgs. This nocturnal animal inhabits the delicate virgin forest of Subic Bay and Bataan, which is home to the world’s biggest roosting site of bats in the world.

Golden Crown Flying Fox – Hmmm, the celebration for the bat's accomplishments for the country in the world center stage doesn’t ends with the Giant Flying Fox. Why not make it a triple celebration of sorts, as the third bat next in line is the world’s largest. Imagine how long the wingspan of this animal? It can reach to a length that is equivalent to 6 feet, roughly the same size of a regular point guard in the NBA. Whoa, enormous for such a creature indeed.

The elusive Philippine mouse deer in Palawan Philippines. Photo from pcsd.ph
The elusive Philippine mouse deer in Palawan Philippines. Photo from pcsd.ph

Philippine Mouse Deer

Philippine Mouse Deer - carrying the local name Pilandok this diminutive animal is the world’s smallest hoofed animal. Standing gallantly at about 40 cms. at the shoulder level (animals – four legged- are usually measured this way). This great animal thrives on Balabac Island, in the Southern part of Palawan.

Naive and wild, the Philippine Spotted greatest predators are the humans. Photo from deer-pictures.com
Naive and wild, the Philippine Spotted greatest predators are the humans. Photo from deer-pictures.com

The Philippine Spotted Deer

The Philippine Spotted Deer – The most endangered deer in the world is found in the Philippines and also the rarest. This graceful deer is also known by its scientific name Cervus Alfredi and indeed in dire need of more conservation efforts to keep them flourishing in the forests of Panay, Hunted and prized for its delicious pinkish meat this animal sports oval yellowish white spots on its back and sides. Standing only about 80 cms. at the shoulder, this animal has soft and long hair that swathe its body.

The Tamaraw in Mindoro, Philippines. Photo from ziva.avcr.cz
The Tamaraw in Mindoro, Philippines. Photo from ziva.avcr.cz

Tamaraw

Tamaraw – also featured in the article The Philippine Wildlife :: Rare Animals in the Philippines, Tamaraw is the largest endangered animal in the country. Moreover this mammal is listed as one of the 10 most endangered species in the world in the lists of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

An excellent bug hunter during night time, the Philippine Tarsier may look unusual but this animal is relatively tame and gentle. Photo from sthalumni.ning.com
An excellent bug hunter during night time, the Philippine Tarsier may look unusual but this animal is relatively tame and gentle. Photo from sthalumni.ning.com

Philippine Tarsier

Philippine Tarsier – This unusual yet cute looking animal is the world’s smallest primate as it measures only 12 cms in length. This nocturnal animal is unique in a sense that it is capable of turning its head 180 degrees to make up for its immobile eyes. Distinct as it is, the Philippine Tarsier, is not gifted with tapetum, which is a protective tissue and reflective layer in the eyes that is present on its cousins.

This animal maybe meek and harmless but shouldn’t be made as pets because they are accustomed to the wild. The Philippine Tarsier resides in Samar, Leyte, Bohol and Mindanao. Additionally this animal got its name from its elongated tarsus bone and gifted with superb jumping ability. It can leap from one place to another at a distance of up to three feet, beat that “Hermit the Frog,” and my dear princess 60dc teammate “Frogdropping,” nyahahaha…

This will be updated in the days to come...

My wild fifteenth 60dc hub.

Feel free to read these wonderful gigs...

Comments

ameba pico 7 months ago

I love it very interesting Im amazed!

alcris vicariato 11 months ago

wow philippines / Filipinas kay ganda

alcris vicariato 11 months ago

wow philippines / Filipinas kay ganda

IndoVillas 12 months ago

I've been to Bohol and I get a chance to hold one of those cute Tarsiers, they are really nice.

Eiddwen profile image

Eiddwen 13 months ago

I love anything to do with wildlife /nature so this one was a treat.

Take care

Eiddwen.

angela_michelle profile image

angela_michelle Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago

This is really fascinating. I did a couple similar hubs!

msorensson profile image

msorensson Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago

Great hub!!

I did not know about the other species myself.

Thank you GeneralHowitzer

GeneralHowitzer profile image

GeneralHowitzer Hub Author 2 years ago

Yeah mulberry1... Thanks a lot for the visit...

mulberry1 profile image

mulberry1 Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago

Great info. I know the Phillipines is a beautiful country, now I know more about the wildlife.

GeneralHowitzer profile image

GeneralHowitzer Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks a lot hippi!

and thanks for the visit too my dear pdh...

theherbivorehippi profile image

theherbivorehippi Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago

Oh my gosh! The tarsier is soooooo adorable! AND...the wingspan of that bat!?? WoW! Wonderful hub!

GeneralHowitzer profile image

GeneralHowitzer Hub Author 2 years ago

@Ingenira - hehehe this is not yet done I still add more info here as the 60dc progresses...

prettydarkhorse profile image

prettydarkhorse Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago

I am glad you are featuring Philippines best GH, Maita

samboiam profile image

samboiam 2 years ago

Thanks for this hub. I would love to visit the Philippines some day.

Ingenira profile image

Ingenira Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago

interesting and eye-opening for me. :)

GeneralHowitzer profile image

GeneralHowitzer Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks a lot Bk for the very encouraging comment

BkCreative profile image

BkCreative Level 6 Commenter 2 years ago

Oh, this is just so beautiful!

This is how I want to live GeneralHowitzer. I want to live with some amazing animals. Until I do, I will bookmark your hub so I can live vicariously. Thanks so much - and I will rate it 'up' - because aren't we so lucky to share the earth with such amazing creatures? Wow!

GeneralHowitzer profile image

GeneralHowitzer Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks a lot too Jill for the visit! I really appreciate you find time to visit!

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago

Thanks for writing this hub GH! It's great!

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