hello Again!
After a long period of dormancy on my blog due to the Mid-Year Common tests, I have once again come up with another blog post. This time it is on the different types of seashells found on the different coast of Singapore. Yup, Singapore is a small nation but the different types of seashells can differ from location. Here is a map of Singapore.
As you can see, the north coast is bordered by the straits of Johor and the south the straits of Singapore. Well, the bad news is, the Johor straits is blocked by our causeway, thus, the water cannot flow through...
the eastern coast is reclaimed land that is untouched and, many seashells not found in other parts of Singapore can be found here! bad news is, you have to walk through a forest or along the coast of east Coast park to reach there. The southeastern region will be attacked by high energy waes and turbulent waters due to the high number of ships... but this is another good place for different types of seashells! the south and offshore islands in the Singapore Straits are filled (ok, maybe not) with coral reefs so certain shells NEVER FOUND ON MAINLAND can be found here. Bad news, most of them are not easily reached like Semakau, Jong, Lazarus Island etc. and those easily reached? Sentosa...
SO, here is the first of the shells...
The Northern Coast,
Most of the shells live in regions with low energy wave action. The beaches are facing the north (yup, :) ) and aren't that far away from malaysia so the fetch isn't that great. The usual beaches would include Changi Beach, Punggol Beach, Pasir Ris beach... Oh, do take note that they are usually near mangroves so certain mangrove species can be found there. Most of the beaches are reclaimed so the shells there are not very rare. Mostly bivalves and common gastropods.
Southeastern Coast,
Also reclaimed just that they are subject to the high energy waves of the Singapore Straits. Mostly bivalves with certain gastropods like the nerites living on the rocks along the coast, on breakwaters etc. The Surf clams are the most common species there. The button shells too but only in certain areas where the coast is less disturbed. These places include East Coast Park, Changi Coast Walk etc.
Coral Reef/Southern Coast,
rarely encountered shells are found here. The sundial, although common in Asia, is kinda rare due to sea sedimentation. Most of them are uncommon and are rare. The Tiger cowrie, Arabian Cowrie etc. Certain species of Murexes and Cones are also found here. Usually along our southern islands, southern shores where majority of our coral reefs are but are quite inaccessible but the easier one would be at Sentosa but it is not recommended to go there. a small patch reef also exist along the Tuas region and offshore reefs are common along the Labrador region BUT PLEASE DO NOT GO TO LABRADOR AS IT IS A PROTECTED PLACE! :)
Mangroves,
Only about 5% of the original mangrove cover is left but i am proud to say that nearly 50% of all the world's mangrove species can be found IN SINGAPORE! Probably due to the fact that we are located in the centre of Asia and seeds from the Indian and Pacific Oceans do arrive here. The common places include Sungei Api Api, Sungei Buloh (Sungei means River) which provides the brackish conditions for mangroves to flourish. Also, mangroves are grown on Pulau Semakau, an island. These mangroves are supplied to different regions in SE Asia as typhoon and cyclone barriers!
Eastern Coast,
This is the most inaccessible coast to go to. You would need to walk throught a patch of forest before entering the region but it is worth it. I have never been there but am planning to visit that place. it is an undisturbed coast but is also reclaimed.
Inland,
These snails typically have thinner shells than that of their marine counterparts. There are many common snails but they are invasive such as teh Golden and Giant Apple Snail, commonly found in the new Bishan Park (do refer to my previous post on teh BISHAN PARK). The others are uncommon but can be found at the Bedok reservoir including the Japanese trapdoor snail. the other snails are land snails and surprisingly, i found them along the banks of a stream at Punggol park, near the mouth.
Hee Hee :) Enjoy!
