Snakes

Snakes are members of the class Reptilia - The reptiles. More precisely, they form part of the Order Squamata, which also includes the closely related lizards. The snakes, comprise the sub-order Serpentes. 

The painful truth about Herping

Amfibia dan reptilia

Amfibia dan reptilia ialah elemen yang penting dalam memastikan ekosistem hutan berada dalam keadaan yang seimbang dan optimum. Secara keseluruhannya, terdapat lebih kurang 299 spesis katak(Norhayati. A) dan 165 spesis ular(Perhiltan) di Malaysia. Spesis-spesis ini menunjukkan morfologi yang unik, tindakbalas yang sensitif terhadap alam sekitar dan adaptasi yang mengkagumkan. 

Akan tetapi, tidak banyak yang diketahui tentang Order haiwan ini oleh masyarakat umum. Kebanyakan dari mereka menggambarkan makhluk ini sebagai ‘terlalu’ bahaya, kotor dan hodoh. Selalunya haiwan ini akan dibunuh(terutama sekali ular) apabila dijumpai tanpa mengira jenisnya. Ini disebabkan kurangnya usaha untuk memperkenalkan organisma tersebut kepada masyarakat. 

Reptilia dari Oder Squamata iaitu ular adalah penting dalam kawalan makhluk perosak seperti tikus. Begitu juga dengan Keluarga Anura iatitu katak. Katak juga menjadi penunjuk biodiversiti yang amat baik dalam menentukan kualaiti air dan alam sekitar di satu-satu kawasan. Ini adalah kerana katak mempunyai kulit paling sensitif dalam kingdom haiwan. Katak menggunakan kulit untuk bernafas dan akan bertindakbalas jika berlaku perubahan kualiti air yang sedikit. Ini dapat dilihat pada Gua Batu Maloi, Johol, Negeri Sembilan. Populasi katak semakin besar semakin dalam gua diterokai. 

Kelangsungan hidup haiwan ini harus diperlihara oleh kita bagi memastikan haiwan ini terus wujud dan menjalankan fungsinya.

Oleh yang demikian, haiwan-haiwan ini haruslah dikesan dan diambil maklumat tentang kedudukannya(GPS), morfologi(kulit, sisik, mata, warna), habitat, bentuk muka bumi dan sebagainya. Maklumat-maklumat ini akan menunjukkan sifat, perangai dan keadaan haiwan tersebut. Ini adalah penting untuk meramalkan bilangan populasi dan keadaan sesuatu habitat tersebut. Haiwan diatangkap dan diambil gambar sebelum dilepaskan. Aplikasi dari kaedah ini adalah luas. Salah satunya ialah pemetaan spesis dari pelbagai genera. Pemetaan ini akan memberi gambaran yang umum kepada penyelidik akan datang. Jesteru itu, usaha seperti konservasi dapat dijalankan dengan lebih mudah.

Bagi menyampaikan maklumat kepada masyarakat, pendekatan secara saintifik adalah kurang berkesan. Maklumat hendaklah disampaikan secara ringan dan santai. 

Maklumat telah dikumpul dari utara sehingga selatan semenanjung dengan bantuan pelbagai pihak. Sebagai contoh, pemetaan spesis di pulau tioman yang terdiri dari keluarga Varanidae dan Scincidae. Pemerhatian ini akan dianalisa dan dibandingkan dengan kependudukan manusia. Adakah dengan kedatangan manusia, haiwan ini akan terancam atau sebaliknya? Semua persoalan ini akan terjawab dengan pemerhatian berterusan dan perbincangan dikalangan ahli akademik yang lain.

Baca tentang Herping

Herping at Royal Belum

I was offered to continue my herping activity at Royal Belum, Perak. From what I heard, this place is one of unique place in Malaysia. A brief introduction what is Royal Belum. According to http://www.endemicguides.com/RoyerBelumFR.htm, and I quote “The Royal Belum forest is located in the Gerik, Perak, area (Hulu Perak).  It is believe that the forest reserve coverage is about 290,000 hectares and with more than 146,000 hectares of virgin forest.  The forest is divided into two sections: the upper Belum area, which stretches to the Thai-Malaysian border covering 117,500 hectares of impenetrable jungle and the lower Belum mostly covered by Temenggor Lake.  The State of Perak has decided to preserve the Belum and Temenggor forests as a permanent nature reserve for research.” 

The forest is huge. No wonder the Communist is actively using this part of Malaysia for their operations. After the era of World War I and The fame Cold war, Communist ideology is spreading like wild fire. They are regarded as a savior in time of crisis. They help to defeat the Japan Imperialism during the time duration. After the fall of the Axis power, the cold war is fought by the US and the Soviet Union during that time. Each side use media to spread their propaganda. Not to mention the stockpiling of weapon of mass destruction. After the end of cold war, each side retreat but their dogma stayed. They are a constant threat to national security. To end the reign of Communist, the government flooded the area belief to contain hundreds of underground tunnel used by this extremist. 

Because of the trip rest solely on kayaking activity, I have to change my hunt from land to water. I have to aim more for aquatic snake from the subfamily Homalopsinae. I am expected to came across Cerberus rynchops(Dog faced Water Snake, Enhydris enhydris(Rainbow Water Snake), Enhydris plumbea(Plumbeous Water Snake), Fordonia leucobalia(Crab eating Water Snake) and Homalopsis buccata(Puff-faced Water Snake). 

I was given a single kayak which is a huge advantage to me because it offers high maneuverability. It is suited for pursuing anything that move on the water at high speed. After a while, Emily Joeneh(mate) spotted a specimen. It was a surprised. It’s not a water snake. It was from a subfamily Colubrinae. Dendralaphis cyanochloris(Blue Bronzeback Snake). The snake was swimming toward an island. Its heading was 300 degree. I could not understand why this tree snake risks its life to cross the vast body of water. If I accounted it was because of the food supply, it was inappropriate considering that the place hold a vast amount of other fauna. My theory is the snake is driven by the will to find its mate. I cannot determine whether the snake I caught was a male or female. It was imperfect in scientific methods. I will improve it in the future. The specimen has big eye, pupil rounded, smooth dorsal scale, anal plate divided. The length is 1.9 meter indicating that it’s an adult snake. It was a Colubridae and has a back fang. The skull is Opisthoglyphous. Upon looking on the scale, I recognize the nasal, internasal, loreal, frontal, prefrontal, postocular and rostral. 

This post will be amend from time to time

Abseiling and Prussic

During herping, I usually go to a place where it’s difficult to access using normal route. Some of the method I use is abseiling.

Abseiling is the controlled descent down a rock face using a rope. Static or dynamic rope is used. A special climbing rope, which does not stretch like a dynamic climbing rope. A static rope (usually 11 mm in diameter) is usually used as a fixed rope (attached to anchors and left in place) for climbing the rope itself with ascenders or rappelling. Static ropes are stronger and last longer than dynamic ropes, but they are not to be used for actual climbing. It’s because of the ‘fixed’ properties of the rope, it will have a tremendous impulse force during fall.

Typical specifications

Dynamic Ropes
Diameter	Typical Impact Force*	Typical Weight
8.1mm (~5/16")	6 kN (1350 lb)	42g/m (0.45oz/ft)
9.8mm (~3/8")	8 kN (1800 lb)	63g/m (0.67oz/ft)
11mm (~7/16")	9 kN (2000 lb)	78g/m (0.84oz/ft)

^*Dynamic ropes are rated for a certain number of falls (usually 5-10) at a given impact force.

Static Ropes
Diameter	Typical Breaking Strength	Typical Weight
9mm (~11/32")	21 kN (4700 lb)	51g/m (0.55oz/ft)
10mm (~3/8")	27 kN (6000 lb)	66g/m (0.71oz/ft)
10.5mm (~13/32")	30 kN (6750 lb)	69g/m (0.74oz/ft)
11mm (~7/16")	34 kN (7650 lb)	75g/m (0.81oz/ft)

1N = (9.8 m/s² X 1) kg = 9.8 kg

There are several basic equipments used in this activity:-

1.     Harness

2.     Belay device (Figure of 8 + Carabineer)

3.     Gloves

4.     Halmet

5.     Prussik rope

I will explain in detail about the equipments on my next blog post. Some of the additional equipments will also be introduce. 

There are several styles that can be used to abseil depending on the situations. The normal style and the Australian style or the spider style. The applications is endless. 

During Hulu Langat Adventure Race 2011

Herping

Herping

Normal style descending is used to abseil normally. Its the easiest method and give a  view on the wall or rock face. I used it during herping. 

The Australian

Australian abseiling (also known as Australian rappelling, Rap Jumping or deepelling) is the process of descending a fixed rope in a standing position while facing the ground.

The technique is used as a military 'assault' technique whereby a soldier is belayed, allowing them to face down the descent and fire a weapon.

In Australia, the technique is not commonly known as "Australian", or even "rappelling"; instead the term "abseiling" is more commonly used and the technique is referred to as "Geneva" style.I always train this technique as a preparation in the future. For me, its perfect for room recon without being detected.

Ascending using prussic. This technique is used to climb after descending. Usually for rescue mission and in my case, Herping

This post will be amend from time to time

Cameron Highland Solo Trailblazer

This is one of my solo trailblazing on Cameron Highland. This story happened 3 years ago. After that there were so many more follow up journey into different set of trail. I will share it with you from time to time. This writing is in experience mode. Next writing will be in the form of article. I hope this is beneficial

My idea of peace is chaos… Everything is set in motion… overwhelming with strength of the world… on my shoulder I put forth the courage to face down my demon… to amend my mistake as I played devil’s advocate… bad trade as I recalled…

The journey begins…..

I wake up thinking about how stupid I am to plan such a trip. without any guide to start with. This is not the issue… I have to consent, I trust myself…. I have to return the favor…

I arrived at Pudu Raya at 9.00 am. Unfortunately; I couldn’t get a direct bus to Cameron highland… its Chinese New Year eve. A bad timing indeed. I need to go to Ipoh first and from there, get a bus to the highland… I had a few insight discussions and reference on the map…

12.30pm - I reached Ipoh and it was unusually hot. It was a busy town I must tell you. Peoples were walking back and forth doing errands. Maybe it’s because of the festive season is around the corner

1.30pm - departed from Ipoh

The bus will be entering from the northern part of Cameron using the new Simpang Pulai – Gua Musang Highway. I didn’t anticipate that, so the plan has to be change (my arrangement is to enter Cameron from South. This is actually benefiting me to the later. I can take on Mount Swettenham on my first day

4.00pm - I reached Kampung Raja…

I have to walk 10km to Pos Penangau in order to enter Swettenham. 30 minutes walk and I stumbled upon Kumar (4WD driver) who happened to be going on the same direction. He drives me to the starting point…

4.45pm – arrived at Pos Penangau and met with a group of hiker…

They were going for V2.

5.00pm – start hiking

7.00pm – It’s getting dark…

After many attempts, route after route, scouting, scouring and running, we were still getting nowhere. It’s settled then, I have were to camp on the Jalan Balak, period

10.00pm – Raining

I can’t even describe how boring the mood was. Maybe this why people hike in a group; to cope with the stress of being alone. But sometimes I think, we need to be alone. We will have the perfect moment to be collective.

January 25, 2009… It’s still raining… its raining all night… I know because I did not sleep… Heaven is crying for me… crying for all the pain I endure… Pain is the essence of human soul… some says “You get to make the beast out of yourself to get rid the pain of being a man”… agreed….

1.30pm – The sky is still crying…

This isn’t happening… we wait long enough for the rain to stop… like it or not, we have to move on…

2.00pm – Exiting Pos Penangau….

I decided to walk to Tanah Rata…I felt a bit groggy… lack of sleep from last night watch… I have to walk for another 27km… it doesn’t matter… Rain…

3.00pm – Long stride towards Tanah Rata…

I was basically climbing towards Tanah Rata (15km walk with 60⁰ average inclinations) …The rain made it easier… I was thankful for that… cars and buses pass by… The choice to walk proves fruitful… It’s heavily congested starting at Tringkap (Chinese New Year)… I manage to reach Brinchang faster than the last bus ride… It felt good…

The cardinal rule during the festive seasons especially on Cameron; walk if you can

8.30pm – Kem Sg Pauh…

11.00pm – light off…

I still couldn’t sleep… It’s a habit I developed during camping… stay alert… when I sleep; I dream… it was a good dream… no more death….

January 26, 2009… Waking up to a colorful morning… no more sorrow in the sky… my journey is still long… our next destination… Gunung Cantik and Centuk, Ringlet, Southern part of Cameron Highland… 15km from where I stand… No fear…

9.00am – Depart from Tanah Rata towards Ringlet…

9.30am – Reaching the junction and stop for breakfast…

From the junction, I have 6km to walk to reach the Boh factory… the entrance route is directly at the back of the factory…

11.00am – Boh Factory….

All gear in check and we going in…. Trailblazing the Tea plantation… a sight to be reckoned with… beautiful…

12.00pm – Peak of mount Cantik and Centuk…

I take a short break and observed what makes this mountain so special… The peak offer nothing much… what is unique about these mountains is getting there and getting down… breath taking as we traverse the tea plantation… you have to see it for yourself… From afar, I can see the Mount Beluat

1.30pm – Getting down…

3.30pm – Reaching the junction…

It was agonizing…It felt so long and the sky lit up on me… hot and thirsty… I  still have 10km to go… block the pain and move on… I still got the stamina and strength…

4.00pm – On the hilly road towards Tanah Rata…

It was bad…. The road never ends… infinite turns and curves… I endure it and my feet suffer… My skin burn and turn red… I endure it…. Bear with it… I felt woozy… The journey must go on

5.30pm – Tanah Rata at last….

I wanted more… I want to go to Mount Jasar and Mount Perdah and Ruil…

5.45pm – Start Jasar…

6.00pm – Jasar…

Fast stride en route for Perdah… have to reach Ruil before nightfall…… not enough time for sightseeing…

6.20pm – Perdah…

The sky is clear on the northern horizon… perfect for sunrise… suddenly I changed my mind… I said; Ruil is tomorrow… Maybe I had enough… I never manage to stay long… pity… I miss the best sunrise that day after a whole day of rain yesterday…. cold and hungry (I ate only nasi lemak that day)… never mind… I’ll cook my heart out tonight…

7.00pm – Kem Sungai Pauh…

10.00pm – sleep…

Ruil for tomorrow…

January 27, 2009… I planned to wake up late… to savior our last day with ease… but the UMP just won’t shut up… easily agitated and excited about things I don’t even understand… Cut me some slack will ya…

9.00am – Wake up and ready for Ruil…

No breakfast…

10.00am – Walking yet again to Ruil…

11.20am – Puncak Ruil…

12.00pm – Exit Ruil….

1.00pm – Kem Sg Pauh…

Gunung Swettenham + Pos Penangau + Ladang Blue Valley + Kg. Raja + Kg. Kuala Terla + Tringkap + Kea Farm + Brinchang + Tanah Rata + Habu + Ladang Boh + Gunung Cantik + Gunung Centuk + Bharat Tea + Gunung Jasar + Gunung Perdah + Gunung Ruil = 50km++

Finishing my long solo walk like a boss. 6 mountain climb. With load over 20kg. Odometer 56km. Hungary and cold.

Equipment
Suunto Compass A20
JUPEM Map 74

This writing will be amend from time to time

I like these compilation of pictures

The painful truth about Herping

I have an enthusiastic affection towards snake and other Herpetofauna. I hunt snake and try to study them scientifically. There is a term on what I do. I called it herping. According to Wikipedia and I quote “Herping is the act of searching for reptiles or amphibians.[1][2] The term, often used by professional and amateur herpetologists, comes from "herptile", composed of Greek herpeton and Latin reptile, both meaning "to creep".[3] The term is a shorthand for the two classes of cold-blooded tetrapodes.[4] Herping consists of many activities; any way one can find reptiles or amphibians can be considered herping”

Herping is not actually a walk in a park. Do not believe everything that you saw on Nat Geo and especially Discovery Channel. They made it as if the snakes or the reptiles or amphibians are readily available and cooperative. In truth, it is not as it seem. They are very shy animals. They tend to get agitated easily and retreat to their hideout as soon as they feel our present. The Jacobson’s Organ plays their part very well. Do you know that some of the snake can sense molecule in the air as far as 1 Km away? They have plenty of time to escape before being detected. That is why it is hard to accomplish my objective. It is a painstaking job to locate and studies them.  They can see in infrared too.  With these arsenals, they can beat anything the surrounding throw at them. It is not surprising that this class of animal can survive for 160 million years.

When dealing with snakes, we have to change some of our bad habits like sloppiness, and sluggishness. Keep in mind that some of them can kill with microgram venom. It is like a drop of water the size of a pin head - even smaller. For me, I have to stay alert all the time. Some of them are very strong and willing to fight. Despite of their appearance, they are very fast. For example, the Phyton. They don’t surrender easily, not without a bite. There are ways to tame an angry snake. You just have to show them love.

Peoples always afraid to encounter snake when crossing the forest trail. They bring all sort of deterrence in a form of physical item such as the sulfur. For me, Sulfur can damage the soil ecosystem and harm trees. It makes no difference, although snake have nostril on their internasal, some of them are not very keen in smell. They still attracted to your body heat and approach you. Some peoples I observed bring some kind of wood. It is believed to keep any serpent and other wild animal at bay. It’s not like I think all of these are critical or necessary, but for me, it’s a redundancy. You don’t have to bring all sorts of weapon and theoretical belief to scare these animals away. Your very present is a threat to them. They will run before they even see you.

I logged my journey entry and mileage entry every time I went on my herping expedition. I have traveled a staggering 1689km by foot, kayak, and bicycle. I have to run to catch them because they are fast to disappear, dive in and swim to find them at sea, I have to crawl and I even abseil from a rock face. I usually hunt them in a new area and that requires me to read the terrain using a map, learn GPS and compass. It developed my orienteering skills as I progress through the dense foliage and extremely difficult terrain. I traverse more than 50 mountains, doing 500 expeditions, free dive in 4 different sea, islands pathfinding in a period of 2 years. Sometimes, during the extremities, I have to improvise. Learning a survival skill is a must. Studying from the aborigines the efficient way to setup shelter, find food and build up fire. I’m not saying I am the best because I know I’m not. But, at least I know what I am doing all the way.

Even with all my effort, I still manage to catalog only 51 species out of 166.

So…. Who said being a herpetologist and herping is lame and easy?

These are some of the pictures