About Malaysia Part-2

Surviving The Equatorial Rainforest of Malaysia - for the Ordinary People.
About Malaysia - Part 2.

The Land

The common rocks in Malaysia are usually limestone, granite and igneous rocks with some stratified and alluvium rocks. Topsoil, laterite, mixed dirt and sand makes the usual floor of the forest. The hills have caves that can or might lead down to swamps and other low lying areas.

The Beris Lake in Northern Malaysia with the Korbu Range in the Background

Streams and waterfalls flow and cascade down in a lot of areas.  These flow of water leads downto rivers and then to estuaries and some dams.

Caves called Gua in Malay, are common and some caves do have bodies of flowing water. Not many have been ventured. The most famous cave in East Malaysia is the Gua Niah, whilst Gua Tempurung, Gua Kelam and Gua Baling are some of the known caves

in West Malaysia.

Flora and Fauna!

58% of Malaysia is still under foliage with a very diverse fauna and flora. The forest made up of dipterocarp forest, peat swamp forest and mangrove swamp forest with high density of growth in the lowlands which gradually disperse at higher levels. 

Tropical plants such as banana, bamboo,   

Bamboo in the midst of other vegetation

lianas, palms, and rattans are by the abundance. Trees can reach up top 60 meters and the vegetation can be 

very dense. It would be good to note that wood in the Equatorial Rain Forest is very woody. 

This means the wood is hard. You will need a good tough parang 

for a cutting tool to even cut  small sized timber.

The famous flower, the Rafflesia can be found in 

Malaysia. Due to the dense vegetation and foliage, 

darkness falls almost too quickly. 

During my Police days, there are days that you might not be able to see your hand 

in front of your face by 7.30pm.

Wild banana tree- a very resourceful tree.

It’s Wildlife! This is what I know!

There are about 210 mammal species in Malaysia with four main big cats. The cats break down into the Indochina and the Malayan Tiger, Clouded Leopard and the Black Panther.

The tigers are the most dangerous and are known for being a good hunter, stalking and ambushing its prey. They usually attack from behind and get their victim by the neck.

Let’ not forget the Asian Elephants. Extremely dangerous when there is a calf in the herd. Elephants are very protective of their herd and many people have been killed.

Threats do come from other animals that are deemed dangerous. The Sun Bear, wild boar, the almost extinct Sumatran Rhino and the Seladang (a species of wild buffalo).  Monkeys in a big troupe can be a threat.

There are sixteen known venomous land snakes. Consisting of 3 species of King Cobras, 3 species of Cobras, the Russell Viper, Malayan Pit Viper, Green tree Viper, Wagler’s Pit Viper, Mangrove Snakes, Paradise Tree Snakes, Kraits and a few more. The rocky coast and sea do house a few species of sea or coral snakes.

Pythons, maybe nonpoisonous, but their bites are nasty. It has the capability to coil around you, breaking your ribs and spine as it squeezes your body. Known to be able to swallow anything twice its size, a 15 feet python sees you as a prey. And their attacks are in mere seconds.

Estuarine and Mugger crocodiles can be found in most rivers. Estuarine crocodiles are also salt water crocodiles. The most dangerous species of all the crocodiles. You can find the long stout Malayan False Gharial in the lakes, dams and old abandoned mining pools.

  

The frequently wet rain forest, where decayed leaves, branches and damp flooring, houses a variety of insects and creatures.

Leeches, the number one blood sucking annelid that is a nuisance and many people are squeirmish about them. There are three types, the normal black leech, mountain dark green leech and the forest leech, the brown leech with the green line that runs across its back. Sounds like a gremlin huh?

Mosquitoes can be found by the abundance. Without modern insect repellants, one of the ways  to keep them at bay is by making a fire and ensuring there is a lot of smoke. They can spread malaria and dengue fever.

Scorpions, centipedes and spiders can make you really sick. Have you ever seen a foot long centipede, red as the amber of a fire and as thick as your toes? So be extra careful where you tread.

Well, that was fun! You have just visited Malaysia! Don’t let the creatures scare you.

Now, let’s get back to the main reason to why this book was written.