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[Big Fishes] [School] [[Macro] [Endemic species] [Others]
■Scientific name：PaguroideaWatch video here. During the day it often hides in areas such as the roots of trees but if you go ashore on the Similan Islands there's a high chance you'll see it.
■Scientific name：Cardisoma hirtipes Watch video here. This crab lives in holes that it's dug. It's found in marshy areas that are slightly secluded from the mangroves and beaches. The biggest ones grow to around 6cm. You can distinguish between male and female by checking to see if one of its claws is big. On the Similan Islands, you'll see it moving actively from evening to night.
■Scientific name：Birgus latroWatch video here. This creature, which grows to around 40cm, is the biggest type of hermit crab. Unable to find a shell that matches the size of its body,it uses coconut instead. It's famous as a luxury food but because it can contain the ciguatera toxin it must be prepared in a special way, while Hernandiaceae root is eaten as a remedy against poisonous crabs and fish. It's almost never spotted in beachy areas of the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Varanus bengalensisWatch video here. This is said to be a sister species of the Common Water Monitor that lives in Bangkok/Lumphini Park. During the day it often spends time on top of trees or rocky areas of the Similan Islands that catch the sun. It's extremely shy and runs away at full speed when it encounters humans. It can be seen on Islands 4 and 8.
■Scientific name：Python reticulatusWatch video here. This snake is said to be the world's longest. Individuals of up to 10m-long have been found before. Because it's nocturnal, it rests in areas like bushes during the day. In the Similan Islands, it's been found preying on the Bengal Monitor Lizard.
■Scientific name：ChiropteraWatch video here. Many bats are said to live on the Similan Islands. One that's comparatively easy to find is the Fruit Bat. During the day it can be seen hanging upside down from the trees.
■Scientific name：Caloenas nicobaricaWatch video here. The biggest of these pigeons can grow to 40cm. DNA identificiation shows that it's closely related to the extinct dodo. Its green gradation is extremely beautiful and it's very easy to spot around the beaches of the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Eretmochelys imbricataWatch video here. The main feature of the Hawksbill Turtle is its sharp beak that sticks out. On Island 4 of the Similan Islands, work is underway to protect and rear turtles, including hawksbills. Adults are then released into the sea.
■Scientific name：Sciurus Watch video here. This creature's name comes from the word squirrel. The Similan Islands are home to several types of squirrel. If you look around the trees you'll see them running playfully about. They can get easily scared, which makes it difficult to approach them.
■Scientific name：Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz.Watch video here. This creature lives in mangroves and coastal areas from the Indian Ocean (Similan Islands) to the Pacific. Although few in number, it also lives on Japan's Yaeyama Islands.
■Scientific name：Heliotropium foertherianum Watch video here. This plant is found from east Africa to Asia (Similan Islands) and the tropical and subtropical coasts of Oceana. It opens when small flowers, each around 5mm and packed densly together, start to bloom. Drinking the juice squeezed from the leaves can help to treat stomach bugs.
■Scientific name：Pandanus odoratissimus Watch video here. This plant's habitat spreads from subtropical and tropical areas to areas near the coast of the Similan Islands. Please be careful as its leaves have sharp thorns. Its fruit is like a pineappple but because it's fibrous, it's not suitable for eating.
■Scientific name：ArecalesWatch video here. Because this is distributed across a wide area from subtropical to temperate areas but mainly in tropical regions, it can be found anywhere in Thailand, beginning with the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Calystegia japonica Watch video here. This is similar to a Morning Glory but doesn't close, even after daytime. It's called a False Bindweed. Light pink and purple flowers bloom profusely along the Similan Islands's sandy shores.
■Scientific name：- Watch video here. It lives in tropical forests that lack nutrients, and is characterized by its roots filled with soil to efficiently absorb nutrients. There are big bullets on both Similan Islands 4 and 8.
■Scientific name：Hernandiaceae Watch video here. This can be found in coastal areas from southeast Asia (Similan Islands) to Africa. It's known to contain a strong poison. Animals including coconut crabs are said to eat its fruit.
■Scientific name：Scaevola taccada Watch video here. This can be found along tropical and subtropical areas from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean where the Similan Islands are located. Five small white flowers bloom together like a fan.
