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7. Birds and mammals |
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Tonle Sap: Source of Lives
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Birds in the thousands Do you know which Southeast Asian country shelters the largest number of waterbirds? Cambodia! The Tonle Sap lake and more particularly the flooded forest near Prek Toal, northwest of the lake, holds the most significant population of waterbirds. Unlike other species, most of the birds living on the lake do not migrate north-south but according to changes in the water level. Their movements are seasonal: birds gather on the lake in mixed-species colonies when the water begins to recede. They nest and breed in the trees and bushes of the flooded forest, where they can easily catch fish. From June onwards, when the water level rises, the bird colonies scatter and gradually fly to shallower bodies of water in Cambodia or neighboring countries. All this makes Tonle Sap an exceptional site for birdwatchers…and others! |
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What kinds of mammals live by the lake? Many mammal species live around the lake, although they're less abundant than birds and fish. By the way, how do you recognize mammals? They have hair, four limbs, are warm-blooded and suckle their young. As recently as 20 years ago, elephants used to migrate from the upland forest to the lake shores, but this no longer happens, as the forest has decreased in size. However, macaques, otters, civets and fishing cats can still be found in the area. Despite their name, the fishing cats aren't particularly good at fishing! But they are strong swimmers and divers. They also hunt on land mainly eat fish, crustaceans and small animals. The crab-eating macaques are also known as long-tailed macaques. During the rainy season, they gather in the trees in the flooded forest but are often caught to be kept or sold as pets. The common civets are nocturnal, i.e. they come out at night.. Strangely, they don't have a voice. They communicate with scents and have a strong body odor which they use in self-defense. They mainly eat fruit, frogs, crabs, birds' eggs and mice. The small clawed otters live in groups in the flooded forest. They are excellent swimmers and very skillful at fishing, sometimes damaging unhappy fishermen's nets! [next] |
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