Symbiotic Relationship Between the Mouse Deer and the Python

The Balabac Mouse deer or Pilandok is a major protein source for the native Molbogs of Balabac Island, Palawan. Generally shy, the mouse deer takes refuge in burrows dug under trees. These underground holes become favorite habitats also to pythons, which appear to be ‘friendly’ with the mouse deer. Natives described the relationship mutual. Accordingly, when the mouse deer is hunted with the aid of dogs, and when the mouse deer takes refuge in its hole, the python lies in wait to prey on the dogs. There is a symbiotic relationship between the mouse deer and the python.

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People's Beliefs Determine Their Behavior Towards the Reefs

Once upon a time, when a fisher docked on Marangas Island to rest, a slither of snakes approached him and frightened the hell out of him. He was damn scared he jumped to his boat and paddled with all his might.


That incident went through the grapevine and from then on, nobody dared approached or fish near the island. The people believed that island was enchanted.

Recently, a group of SCUBA divers came to the area and noticed that rocky, but scenic island. Despite warning by the fisher-boat operator that the island is enchanted, the group explored the reef surrounding the island. Many large, tabulate corals were found, virtually untouched. The reefs were conserved because of people's belief that the place is enchanted. People's beliefs determine their behavior towards the reefs.

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The Mangrove Snake: Another Species in Peril?

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An ubiquitous species of mildly-venomous snake, the mangrove snake or gold-ringed cat snake (Boiga dendrophila) may be facing extinction due to increasing human activities in its habitat. Once easily seen in mangrove-lined rivers in Palawan, the mangrove snake is difficult to spot nowadays. Is the mangrove snake another species in peril?

More on this snake in Scienceray...

More on Palawan wildlife here.