ENG-1986 — Page 330

THE ENVIRONMENT

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Occasional reports are still received of sightings of less common species such as the Leopard Cat, Ferret Badger, Eastern Chinese Otter and Barking Deer. However, the increasing presence of human activity into the countryside means an uncertain future for these species.

Snakes, lizards and frogs are plentiful in Hong Kong. There are also various species of terrapins and turtles, none of which is common. Most of the local snakes are not poisonous and death from snakebite is rare. The poisonous land snakes are: The Banded Krait, with black and yellow bands; the Many-banded Krait, with black and white bands; Macclel- land's Coral Snake, which is coral red with narrow, black transverse bars; the Chinese Cobra and the Hamadryad or King Cobra, both of which are hooded; the rare Mountain Pit Viper; the Red-necked Keelback with vermilion neck; and the White-lipped Pit Viper or Bamboo Snake. The Bamboo Snake is bright green and less venomous than others, but it is not easily seen and strikes readily if approached. The Hamadryads, Kraits and Corals prey almost exclusively on other snakes.

Several species of sea snakes, all venomous, are found in Hong Kong waters. They have never been known to attack bathers. An amphibian of special interest is the Hong Kong Newt, which has not been recorded elsewhere in the region.

There are more than 200 recorded species and forms of colourful butterflies, several of which, as caterpillars, cause considerable damage to farmers' crops. These include the two commonly found species of Cabbage Whites, the Swallowtails, and the beautiful but less common Small Blue. Among the many local moths are the giant silk worm moths, including the Cynthia, Fawn, Atlas and Moon. The Atlas has an average wing span of 23 centimetres and the Moon, 18 centimetres.

Of the local plant bugs, two are especially noted for their colour and shape. They are the rare and beautiful spotted Tea Bug, which has been recorded only on hilltops and the Lantern Fly which has delicately coloured wings and a remarkably long forehead. Dragon and damsel flies are common, as are wasps and metallic coloured beetles. Of particular interest is the giant Red-spotted Longhorn Beetle which feeds on Mountain Tallow and Wood-oil trees. Many other species of Longhorn beetles infest living or weakened trees, including citrus and pine.

Since its introduction into Hong Kong in 1938, the African Giant Snail has become a major pest in vegetable crops and gardens. Farmers are also troubled by several types of slug. One of these, Veronicella is a large, black slug sufficiently different from the other slugs to be placed in a separate family.

Aquatic Life

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Marine life forms in Hong Kong are diverse and mainly tropical in character. They include a large number of commercially important species of fish, crustacea and molluscs. The types and quantities of fish prevalent fluctuate according to seasonal influences and also vary from area to area.

The waters of Hong Kong can be broadly divided into a western sector, influenced by the Zhu Jiang (Pearl) River and predominantly brackish, and an eastern sector, which is more oceanic in character. In some areas, notably Tolo Harbour, pollution associated with rapid urban development in recent years has led to a decline in the abundance and diversity of marine life. Pollution-sensitive organisms such as coral are now to be found only in a few remote areas. Nevertheless various locations offer natural propagation and nursery grounds for many species of fish, crustacea and molluscs, and provide seasonal feeding grounds for transient predators, such as the Little Tuna, Dolphinfish, Sailfish and Sharks.

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