Expedition 2015 California + South Seas + Australia

JBL Expedition 2015: California, South Seas & Australia

From Sea Serpents to the Land Snakes

After the Barrier Reef we had two whole days to carry out measurements and observations in the Australian rainforest. For that we drove to Lakes Eacham and Barrine and to some rivers and streams with promising flora and fauna. At Lake Eacham we were surprised to find archerfish (Toxotes chatareus) 30 cm in size in pure freshwater with only 52 µS/cm and where the GH and KH were both 1°. Furthermore we saw rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida) in their natural habitat for the first time. We found them in smaller groups of 2 to 5 animals but also in bigger schools of fish with about 50 animals. Our terrarium enthusiasts had to wait until we were heading back to the lodge for their turn. A python with a length of a bit more than 2 m was lying on the street, enjoying the warm asphalt. We saved the animal from being run over and went on for a night hike in the forest. The lodge had set up some lamps in one area, so the guests could observe nocturnal marsupials, such as sugar gliders, easily. In Lake Barrine we observed various fish species in relatively clear water, including the freshwater archerfish. The lakes have no access to the sea and so the archerfish are not able to live in their proper habitat, which is brackish water. In a small brook, of which the GPS data shall remain secret, we found zebra shrimps, which grazed the growth on the stones inside the shallow water. In a bit deeper water there were also gobies, which most probably eat any shrimps which dare to venture into deeper water. Our fans of “crawling animals” were pleased to find dragon lizards and huge orb-weaver spiders at another brook. From then on the biotope data for the area (humidity, temperature, UVA, UVB and lux) were added to the water values and noted down with the current GPS data.