BIODIVERSITY

• Tragulus nigricans


  Philippine Mouse-deer
• Philippine Mouse-deer


  • Small, nocturnal ruminant
  • Native to Balabac and two smaller, neighboring islands (Bugsuk and Ramos), southwest of Palawan
  • Belongs to the chevrotain family, not the deer family Cervidae
  • Traditionally regarded as a subspecies of the greater mouse deer
• Tragulus


  Means "little goat", refers to the eyes' horizontal pupils which enable greater peripheral depth perception
• The Philippine mouse deer does not belong to the deer family Cervidae
• Balabac and two other smaller islands, southwest of Palawan in the Philippines, are home to the Philippine mouse deer
• Habitat of Philippine Mouse-deer

  • Shrubland and damp forests, frequently go near mangroves to forage, also seen near the ocean
  • Hide out throughout the day in the primary and secondary forests and stay stationary, go into mangroves and other more open places after sunset to feed
• The Philippine mouse deer is also portrayed as a cunning environmental protector who uses his knowledge to an advantage over those who harm forests, seas, and wildlife
• The Molbog people of southern Palawan regard the mouse deer as sacred
• Gallicolumba luzonica


  Luzon bleeding-heart
• Luzon bleeding-heart


  • A species of ground dove, one of several ground dove species referred to as "bleeding hearts" of the genus Gallicolumba
  • The species in which the "blood" trait is most obvious, the scarlet color extends down the belly, adding to the appearance that the bird's breast has been drenched in blood
  • Unique to the northern Philippine islands of Luzon and two others, with numerous isolated populations and a small population on the island of Polillo recently rediscovered
  • Inhabits lowland forests and typically forages on the forest floor, nests and roosts in low to medium-height trees, bushes, and vines
• The Luzon bleeding-heart is sometimes referred to as a "stabbed pigeon" or paloma de punalada
• The Luzon bleeding-heart's scientific name, Gallicolumba, signifies dove rather than chicken, despite resembling chickens when foraging
• The Luzon bleeding-heart feeds its young with "crop milk", a nourishing secretion that comes from a pouch located close to the adult's throat
• All bleeding-heart pigeons have a tendency to eat more animal food than most other pigeons
• Cacatua haematuropygia


  Philippine cockatoo
• Philippine cockatoo


  • Endemic cockatoo species that only exists in the Philippines
  • Protected by the Philippine government due to illicit catching, degradation of their natural habitat, and declining population
  • Has white feathers, scarlet undertail coverts or vents, and light yellow underwings
  • Has grayish-white beaks and eyes with an undeveloped ring spot, females have dark red eyes and males have dark brown eyes
  • Has a little crest on the top of their heads, stretch their wings and raise their crest in response to being startled or aroused
• The Philippine cockatoo is a significant bird in the Philippines, and several non-profit groups work to save this species' population from extinction by practicing bird conservation
• Sus cebifrons


  Visayan warty pig
• Visayan warty pig


  • A critically endangered species in the pig genus (Sus)
  • Known by many names in the region, most translating into 'wild pig'
  • Males or boars are much larger than the females or sows, and grow crests and manes during the breeding season
  • Named for the three pairs of "warts" that male pigs have on their faces, which may serve as protection for their faces during combat
  • Once common throughout the Visayan Islands, the Philippines' central archipelago, now extinct in at least 98% of their historic range, with the few remaining populations centered on the last remaining habitat on the Negros and Panay islands
• Visayan warty pigs appear to play a significant role in disseminating the seeds of several plant species
• For certain people, the Visayan warty pig is a symbol of fortune, happiness, integrity, and virility
• Aonyx cinereus


  Small-clawed otter or oriental small-clawed otter
• Small-clawed otter

  • The smallest otter species in the world, ranging in size from 730 to 960 mm (28.6 to 37.6 in)
  • Has little claws that do not protrude past the pads of its webbed digits, relies on its delicate, dexterous fingers to forage for food
  • Has gray or brown fur with lighter coloring on their bottom, neck, and face, has a long tail and slim, almost sinuous form, has blunt faces and short legs
  • Diurnal (active during the day), inhabit distant locations, and are typically free of human interference, regularly brush their fur to maintain insulating characteristics
  • Can swim very well by moving their tail and back legs, frequently rub against nearby logs and foliage after swimming or feeding to "scent mark" the location, frequently snooze in locations with moderate disturbance, typically rest and sleep on land, either in their dens or somewhere above the ground
  • Can emit about a dozen cries, one of which is a distress call for when they need aid, each otter has a fragrance that is as unique as our fingerprints, cover their ears and nostrils when swimming