Browse our hundreds of travel and tourism articles about fantastic destinations in the Philippines. Know more about our culture and marvel at the richness and beauty of our country.
by Xtian Mack on November 12, 2012 The Giant Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat or Luzon Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat (Crateromys schadenbergi) is a large, endangered species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is only found in pine and mossy forest at altitudes of 2,000–2,740 meters (6,600–8,990 ft) in the Central Cordillera of Luzon, the Philippines. Relatively little is known about its behavior, but it is nocturnal, mainly arboreal, and feeds on various types of vegetation. » Read More
by Xtian Mack on November 12, 2012 The Panay Cloudrunner (Crateromys heaneyi) is the second-largest cloud rat, a squirrel-like rodent that is found on the island of Panay in the Philippines. The Panay Cloudrunner was discovered by western science in 1987, and was described as a new species in 1996 by Robert Kennedy of the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Pedro Gonzales of the National Museum of the Philippines. The late date of discovery was because the lack of forest cover on Panay lead to the island being largely ignored by biologists. » Read More
by Xtian Mack on November 12, 2012 The Large Mindoro Forest Mouse (Apomys gracilirostris) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae, from the genus Apomys. It is found only in the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The Large Mindoro Forest Mouse is a large mouse with large feet, a long tail and an elongated snout which is morphologically unique within its genus. It is covered in soft fur, which is mostly dark brown in color. Its closest relative is thought to be the Luzon Montane Forest Mouse, based on genetic and morphological similarities. » Read More
by Xtian Mack on November 12, 2012 The Luzon Montane Forest Mouse (Apomys datae) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae, from the genus Apomys. It occurs only in the Philippines, where it has been found on the large northern island Luzon (in the Cordillera Central and on the coast of Ilocos Norte). It is most closely related to the Large Mindoro Forest Mouse, which occurs in Mindoro. There may be another related species in the Sierra Madre, but this species is undescribed as of yet. The Luzon Montane Forest Mouse is a relatively large, ground-dwelling rat with a tail that is quite short for its genus. » Read More
by Xtian Mack on November 12, 2012 The Philippine Porcupine (Hystrix pumila), or the Indonesian Porcupine or the Palawan Porcupine, is a species of rodent in the Hystricidae family (Old World porcupines). It is endemic to the island of Palawan in the Philippines. Common Name: Palawan Porcupine, Scientific Name: Hystrix pumila Local Name: Durian/Landak » Read More
by Xtian Mack on November 10, 2012 Maya is the Filipino common name for the Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus. This widely distributed Passeriformes species is just introduced to the country, but has adapted very well to its conditions. It is now arguably the most familiar bird in urban areas in the Philippines. As a result it is confused by most locals with maya pula, or the Black-headed Munia (Lonchura atricapilla), as the former national bird of the Philippines. » Read More
by Xtian Mack on November 10, 2012 The Philippine flying lemur (Cynocephalus volans) is one of two species of flying lemurs, the only two living species in the order Dermoptera. Additionally, it is the only member of the genus Cynocephalus. The Philippine flying lemur is endemic to the Philippines. Its population is concentrated in the Mindanao region and Bohol. » Read More
by Xtian Mack on November 10, 2012 The Mindanao Treeshrew (Urogale everetti), also called the Philippine tree shrew, is a species of treeshrew endemic to the Mindanao region in the Philippines. It is the heaviest treeshrew, weighing about 355 g, and is terrestrial. The body is 17-20 cm, and the tail is 11-17 cm. It has a particularly elongated snout and a rounded, even-haired tail. The fur is brownish, but with orange or yellow underparts. » Read More
by Xtian Mack on November 10, 2012 The Philippine mouse-deer (Tragulus nigricans), also known as the Balabac chevrotain or pilandok in Filipino, is a small, nocturnal ruminant which is endemic to Balabac and nearby smaller islands (Bugsuc and Ramos) southwest of Palawan in the Philippines. The genus Tragulus means 'little goat' and the Philippine mouse-deer has been named so due to the horizontal pupils of the eyes. This position of the pupil allows for an increase in peripheral depth perception. » Read More
by Xtian Mack on November 10, 2012 The Visayan spotted deer (Rusa alfredi), also known as the Philippine spotted deer, is a nocturnal and endangered species of deer located primarily in the rainforests of the Visayan islands of Panay and Negros though it once roamed other islands such as Cebu, Guimaras, Leyte, Masbate, and Samar. It is one of three endemic deer species in the Philippines, although it was not recognized as a separate species until 1983. » Read More
