Environmental Blog #3

            Exotic species are those organisms introduced into habitats where they are not native. In their natural habitats, these organisms developed stable populations and complex relationships with other species. When removed from the predators, parasites, diseases and competitors that have kept their numbers in check, species introduced into new habitats often overrun their new home and crowd out native species. Once they have been established, exotic species can rarely be eliminated.

            The wildlife of the Philippines includes a significant number of endemic plants and exotic animal species. The country’s surrounding waters have the highest level of biodiversity. The Philippines is considered as one of the seventeen megadiverse countries as well as global biodiversity hotspot. According to the 2000 Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 418 of the country’s 52, 177 species were listed as threatened.

            The exotic species in the Philippines include the Tamaraw and the Philippine Tarsier, which is one of the smallest species of primates in the world. They also have 3 exotic species of deer named, Philippine Deer, Calamian Deer and the Philippine Spotted Deer.

Philippine Spotted Deer

Calamian Deer

Philippine Deer

            The tarsier is a small species of primate that is found inhabiting the well-vegetated forest in the Philippines. It is a unique and distinctive looking animal that has evolved a number of specific features to help its nocturnal lifestyle. They have long legs, which enable them to leap distances up to 5 meters between branches. The most distinctive feature is on their heads. Because of their specially adapted vertebrae are able to turn 180 degrees in both directions so that they can see behind it without moving it’s body. Their enormous eyes can be up to 16mm across and enable them to hunt for prey and predators. They also have large bat-like ears to detect the slightest sounds.

The tarsier is an incredibly elusive animal that is known to be shy around humans. With the increasing human activity in areas of their habitats, they are being pushed into smaller and more isolated areas.

Today, many of the different tarsiers are either listed as being endangered or vulnerable by the IUCN. Although conservation work is striving to protect these animals and their remaining pockets of primary forest, they remain threatened by the loss of habitat throughout much of their natural range.