Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Top 5 Most Indigenous Animals In The Philippines

Today, I thought we would take a look at animals that are unique to the Philippines, animals that generally don’t live anywhere else in the world but the Philippines.  Oh, it is possible that you may find a few in places like Indonesia or Malaysia, but the vast majority of the population of these animals are found only in the Philippines.

1. Philippine Eagle 

Also known as the Monkey Eating Eagle.  There was a time, 20 years ago or more where there were only a few of these birds left in the world.  Today, they could not be said to be thriving, but the population is on the increase, largely due to the efforts of the Philippine Eagle Center right in  Davao.  For nearly 20 years the Philippine Eagle Center (operated by the Philippine Eagle Foundation) has been breeding Philippine Eagles in captivity, and later releasing the birds in the wild.  The program has been quite successful and has probably been responsible for keeping the Philippine Eagle alive at all.  If not for the Philippine Eagle Center the Philippine Eagle probably would have been extinct by now.


Philippine Eagle

2. Philippine Crocodile

This crocodile is found only in the Philippines as well.  It is also known as the Mindoro Crocodile or even the Philippine Freshwater Crocodile.  Unfortunately, the Philippine Crocodile is in serious danger of extinction at this time.  This crocodile is not to be confused with the Indo-Pacific Crocodile which is also found in the Philippines.  The Philippine Crocodile is found only in the Philippines, while the Indo-Pacific Crocodile is common in many countries.


Philippine Crocodile
3. Philippine Flying Lemur

One of two species of lemurs that can fly, and this one is found exclusively in the Philippines.  This lemur can be found in Basilan, Leyte, Samar, Bohol and Mindanao.  The vast majority of the population is in Bohol and Mindanao.  The average Philippine Flying Lemur weighs from 2 to 4 pounds. These lemurs are generally considered to be pests, as they eat fruit crops.


Philippine Flying Lemur

4. Philippine Mouse Deer

This is the world’s smallest hoofed mammal.  It can be found on a small island called Balabac, which is south of Palawan.


Philippine Mouse Deer

5. Tamaraw

The Tamaraw is a pygmy version of a Carabao.  A carabao is the Philippine name of what westerners would call a water buffalo.


Tamaraw