Wildlife

[lomuamart]

Couple of things. Just come back from the local shop, passed a bit of empty land and saw a squirrel. I'm not sure how common they are in Thailand, but it's certainly the first time I've seen one in HH. Big rats that live in trees, I know and they can be a real menace munching through electricity cables etc, but I thought they lived off particular nuts and berries that are most likely found in north Thailand. Anyone ever seen one in HH? There are probably loads, but that's my first in 9 years.
Secondly, we occasionally get these very small black insects in the house. They're similar to a beetle, I suppose (and definitely not a baby cockroach). About 1 cm long, they scurry around on legs, but seem to spend most of their time on their backs, flicking themselves into the air. They're very noticable as they cause a distinctive "click" on the tiles as they propel themselves upwards. They can jump a fair distance as well, in comparison to their size. At least 6-10 times. Anyone got any idea what they are?

[Bamboo Grove]

I've seen squirrels here as well as in Bangkok. Also, there's a restaurant in Samut Songkram where they're on the menu.

[ozuncle]

Beetle could be Click Beetle. Campsosternus sp.

www.thaibugs.com/beetles1.htm

[JD]

Wife says it's Mallang Hua Kang, Hard Head. She also says ' Arroy Mak'

[sargeant]

Hang on a sec JD are we talking arroy mak for the squirrel or the beetle

[lomuamart]

Thanks folks.
Missus says Mallang Hua Kang, for sure. Whether they're tasty is another matter as she claims never to have tried them.
Never knew there were so many beetles in Thailand, I'll chceck on the Latin names/pics later.

[JD]

No Sarge i said mallang not gra-rawk which i've just been told is equaly delicious and is just chopped whole bones annall and mixed to make with larb well it is in issan anyway so my wife says she has eaten it many times along with mallang hua kang only because they come from the jungle you only use half the herb and spice or not taste very nice only delicious when cooked this way comprende.

[Wanderlust]

wots this copy sarge day?

[sargeant]

Well thanks for that guys dont it make you feel good though to know we are here in Lovely thailand having this serious discussion beetles or squirrels for lunch and i am going back to blighty on the 9th jeeeez the conversation just aint gonna cut it over there covered in greenpeace and animal rights activists before you can blink

[STEVE G]

Hi All, just got back on-line after a hectic couple of weeks. I was at a good friends wedding up in Issan last week, and on waking up early in the morning with a large hangover, I was confronted by two hard-core rice farmers breakfasting on Lao-Kao whisky and a plate of small beetles. I ate some beetles as it was a better option than the Lao-Kao! I did have to wash them down with a bottle of Chang though.

[PeteC]

Well thanks for that guys dont it make you feel good though to know we are here in Lovely thailand having this serious discussion beetles or squirrels for lunch and i am going back to blighty on the 9th jeeeez the conversation just aint gonna cut it over there covered in greenpeace and animal rights activists before you can blink

Sarge, it won't be any worse than talking about plastic wrapped meat pies and Scottish eggs from the 7-11 there. Make sure they're aware of the delicacies they're missing here!!...LOL. Pete

PS: Have a good and safe trip, and get back here soonest all fixed up.

[long-in-thailand]

I'm an entomologist by training but will answer the squirrel one first. My time is divided between Hua Hin and Bangkok (where I work). Squirrels are a very common site running along the electricity cables in the Fair City. I can not recall seeing them in Hua Hin but I guarantee they will be present.

The insect that you have seen is probably a click-beetle (Family Elateridae - I told you I was an entomologist). When they are stuck on their backs they can click the end of their thorax against their head and spring up in the air. They are not normally that common however so your house must be in a favourable area for them.

[klikster]

Couple of things. Just come back from the local shop, passed a bit of empty land and saw a squirrel. I'm not sure how common they are in Thailand, but it's certainly the first time I've seen one in HH. Big rats that live in trees, I know and they can be a real menace munching through electricity cables etc, but I thought they lived off particular nuts and berries that are most likely found in north Thailand. Anyone ever seen one in HH? There are probably loads, but that's my first in 9 years.
Secondly, we occasionally get these very small black insects in the house. They're similar to a beetle, I suppose (and definitely not a baby cockroach). About 1 cm long, they scurry around on legs, but seem to spend most of their time on their backs, flicking themselves into the air. They're very noticable as they cause a distinctive "click" on the tiles as they propel themselves upwards. They can jump a fair distance as well, in comparison to their size. At least 6-10 times. Anyone got any idea what they are?

I happen to like the Thai mynah birds (nok eang). I can sit and listen to their chatter, "laughs" and whistles endlessly. At one house in Ban Krud I kept a terra cotta basin of water plus another of rice and usually cream crackers. They love cream crackers!

But so do the squirrels love cream crackers. The squirrels intimidate the birds and carry off the crackers. It was a continual battle I never solved .. but I did scare the $^%#@ out of them with my slingshot from time to time.

I have seen those squirrels jump surprising distances from one coconut tree to another.