Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s most diverse countries, offering various cultures, languages, and traditions. In addition, Papua New Guinea also offers its jungle that is still natural and untouched by humans. The vast and dense Papua jungle is why this land is biodiversity-rich.
There is a hidden danger hidden in the land of Papua. Here are things a traveler will encounter while in the forests of Papua New Guinea.
Hearing Sounds from Papua Jungle
To count the number of wild species in tropical forests in Papua New Guinea’s Madang Province, scientists used sophisticated tree-mounted equipment to record sounds from the forest. Here’s Eddie Game’s explanation from The Nature Conservancy.
1. Cassowary
Don’t let this bird’s appearance fool you. This bird is known as the most dangerous bird in the world; Cassowaries are known to be able to kill humans with their kicks.
A cassowary can be several times bigger than an ostrich. Toenails reach 5 inches long and can penetrate human skin. Many tribal members have died due to this bird found throughout Papua New Guinea’s forests.
2. Venomous Taipan
The venomous Taipan is one of the most venomous snakes in the world. This species is found around Australia and in the Papua jungle.
The bite of this snake can cause paralysis, blood clots, and death.
3. Death Adder
One species of this snake is also dangerous. Its small size often makes us not see it. If bitten can cause paralysis within minutes and death if not treated immediately.
4. Estuarine crocodile
This type of crocodile is known as the most aggressive predator on earth. Its size can reach 7 meters with a weight of 1,200kg.
Because of its aggressive nature, this crocodile can be a threat to humans because it can attack humans and eat them.
5. Papua Jungle Black Snake
The Papuan Blacksnake is a species of snake native to Papua New Guinea. Its size usually reaches 2 meters and it is famous for its venom.
If it gets bitten, it will cause muscle weakness, gradually becoming paralyzed within 2 to 21 hours. This snake can cause death if not treated immediately.
What’s So Special About the Flora in Papua New Guinea’s Jungle?
Papua New Guinea “is an island paradise teeming with life” and is recognized globally as a center for biodiversity, says Rodrigo Cámara-Leret of the University of Zurich, Switzerland.
However, knowledge of Papua New Guinea’s flora “has been limited for many years, limiting research in this very diverse region,” he said. Botanists have identified and named plants collected in Papua New Guinea since the 17th century, with samples stored in herbaria worldwide.
As with other Amazonian diversities, botanists have only now been able to gather all of this information into one complete inventory of plants. Botanists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, worked closely with experts in 19 countries to carry out the work.
Papua Jungle Plants: What Types Are There?
Orchids account for 20% of the flora in Papua New Guinea and 17% in the Papua region, Indonesia.
Then, tree species account for 29% of the total species – by comparison, the Amazon has 2.6 times as many trees rea 6.4 times as large as Papua New Guinea.
Then, Papua New Guinea also has many rare rhododendrons and begonias that have never been described before.
Final Thoughts
More botanical exploration is urgently needed to gather unknown species before they disappear. And DNA studies are being planned. Since 1970, about 2,812 new species have been published from Papua New Guinea. In addition, the researchers estimate that, within 50 years, there will be an addition of up to 4,000 species to the plant inventory list.
Sandra Knapp of the Natural History Museum, London, said there was still much to be discovered in the Papua jungle. “This should now be the basis for more work and discovery in the years to come,” he said.
