Enthusiasts to launch field guide on Singapore's reptiles, amphibians

Crouched in the darkness of a forested area in Mandai, Mr Shivaram Rasu trained his camera lens on a grassy patch some 10m away, as he waited for a shy animal to call.

- Ang Qing

While the field frog (Fejervarya limnocharis) is a native species that is easily seen, photographing it while it croaks is difficult because of its skittish nature, said the 31-year-old doctoral student at National University of Singapore. He was documenting the creature's behaviour for an upcoming field guide dedicated to Singapore's reptiles and amphibians – the first in more than three decades.

"It's hard to get such a photo, as it will stop calling when humans are near or lights appear far off," said Mr Shivaram, who overcame the challenge by asking zoology graduate Law Ingg Thong, 27, to stand next to the palm-sized frog with a wireless flash that kicked in once the amphibian called.

Over the past seven years, the pair have been on a mission to document all of Singapore's herpetofauna, known among hobbyists as "herps", along with Mr Law Ing Sind – who is Mr Law Ingg Thong's brother – Mr Sankar Ananthanarayanan and Mr Serin Subaraj.

On Sept 20, the band of brothers will launch their guide showcasing and detailing 150 species of reptiles and amphibians for which Singapore has been home. It is a resource they hope will demystify herps for both the public and consultancies shaping the future development of the Republic.