Saturday, October 9, 2004

Marine Life Series VI Stamp

Marine Life StampHumpback Whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae)

Its scientific name was given to this species in 1781 by a German naturalist named Borowski. Marine Life Miniature SheetHumpback whales belong in the Balaenidae family and are categorized as baleen whales (baleen are the series of plates used to strain food from seawater). Humpback whales have about 300 baleen plates, which are skater grey. These baleens hang from the upper jaw like a fringed curtain on both sides of the large mouth. Therefore, a humpback whale needs to only take a mighty slurp of "krill soup," close it's mouth, and expel the excess water through the horny comb and its lips. It will swallow the filtered broth of food that remains behind. The back of a Humpback body is black and normally shades to a white belly. The shade of black on the whales varies in different populations, according to locality. Their flippers are rather long and have serrated leading edges that indicate the fingers. Their dorsal fins are relatively large and are placed half down the back. They are followed by a series of hillocks, which end at their tails.

Marine Life First Day CoverOctopus (Octopus Bimaculatus)

Octopus are invertebrate and mollusc. They can be found worldwide, in warm temperate waters. Sometimes, they are also known as 'devil fish,' even though octopuses are not fishes but are related to oysters and mussels. An octopus has a big round head, a pair of big eyes and eight suckered arms (tentacles). These tentacles are used to push them forward and moved fast in the water. Octopuses have soft body and are squid-like. They feed on small fishes and crabs. When an octopus senses danger, it inks its surrounding waters black to protect itself.

Marine Life First Day CoverBottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus)

They are classified under the Delphinidae family, the largest family of Cetaceans (classifications of the genera and species in this family is constantly changing). Bottlenose dolphins can measure up to 3.9 meter, weighing around 150 kg - 650 kg. They can be identified easily for their sickle-shaped dorsal fin and dorsal fin and distinct short beak. They usually have dark grey body with lighter underside, grading to white. Bottlenose Dolphins 'see' by listening to the echoes bounced off by objects in the water to determine the location and characteristic of an object. The dolphins were made famous by the television show 'Flipper,' they are also popular for being playful and highly sociable.

Marine Life Presentation PackThornback Ray (Raja Clavata)

They are characterized by their triangle or rhomboid-shaped body. The tails are slender and whip-like. These rays have a pair of eyes that protrude above the dorsal surface. These eyes have some degree of mobility. The large thorn-like spines on its tail and central position of the wings give this ray its name. Thornback rays are classified as a fish and are usually found in deep sea of about 185 meter in depth, Their teeth show sexual dimorphism, males have pointed teeth and females have flat, rounded teeth, they feed on crustacean and fish such as herring, sprats and flatfish. While swimming, Thornback rays undulates the enlarged pectoral fins, aptly called 'wings' and the tail acts as a rudder.



Marine Life Stamp SheetTechnical Details

Date of Issue : 9-Oct-2004

Stamp Value : 30 Sen; 50 sen; RM 1.00

Stamp Size : 40mm X 30mm

Perforation : 14

Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Miniature Sheet Denomination : RM2.00

Miniature Sheet Size : 100mm X 70mm

Stamp Size in Miniature Sheet : 40mm X 30mm

Paper : Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Marine Life FolderPrinting Process : Lithography

Printer : Secura Security Printing Sdn. Bhd.

Stamp Designer : Hudacorp Sdn Bhd

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Presentation Pack Value : RM 3.50

Miniature Sheet Value : RM 2.00

Folder Value : RM 5.00


Monday, October 4, 2004

100 Years Matang Mangroves, Perak Stamp

Matang Mangroves StampsBesides plants, the mangrove habitat also houses a large number of animals, from the most minute (zooplankton) to the largest reptile, i.e. the Estuarine crocodile. One of the most commonly found inhabitants of the mangrove forest is the long-tailed macaque-Macaca fascicularis. These monkeys invade the mangrove forest during the falling tide to feed on crabs and shellfish.

The Gedabu fruit Sonneratia ovata or more commonly known as the Mangrove apple can be eaten by man and it is also a favorite of the Painted Terrapin. The fruit can be made into juice and also used for the treatment of sprains, bleeding and hemorrhoid. Its wood can be used as firewood, poles and in the construction of houses. In addition, insects such as moth can be found throughout the mangrove forest.

There are 28 fishing villages in the vicinity of the Matang Mangroves. Besides fishing in the sea, the fishermen also carry out aquaculture farming, i.e. breeding of fish in cages and cockle farming. The cockles (Anadara granosa) were first commercially farmed by the village headman in Bagan Panchor, Perak, in 1984. Cockles from Matang fetch a good price in neighboring countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

Matang Mangroves Miniature SheetThe Matang Mangroves environment is a very productive ecosystem. It supports the food chains of various wildlife comprising fish, crustaceans, birds, small mammals and invertebrates. It is the feeding ground for birds such as the Lesser adjutant-Leptoptilos javanicus and Brahminy kite-Haliastur indus. These birds eat various types of food, including plankton, aquatic plants, worms, crustaceans, molluscs and fish.

In addition, migratory birds also make pit stops at the Matang Mangroves to feed before flying on to New Zealand or to stay there for winter. These birds include the Eurasian Duck-Anas penelope, Chinese egretta eulophotes, Common sandpiper-Actitis hypoleucos and many more.

100 Years Matang Mangroves, Perak

If an area that has been worked on contains less than 90% of natural seedlings, replanting will be carried out on the area. Two species that are commonly planted are Bakau minyak-Rhizophora apiculata and Bakau kurap-Rhizophora mucronata at a spacing of 1.2m x 1.2m and 1.8m x 1.8m respectively. Present planting involves the prescription of bare root propagules and potted seedling as planting materials, depending on suitability of the sites and the presence of pests.



Matang Mangroves First Day Cover


Matang Mangroves First Day Cover



Matang Mangroves Presentation PackTechnical Details

Date of Issue : 4-Oct-2004

Stamp Value : 30 Sen (Se-tenant); RM1 (Se-tenant)

Sheet Content :20 Stamps

Stamp Size : 30mm X 40mm

Perforation : 14

Miniature Sheet Denomination : RM2.00

Miniature Sheet Size : 100mm X 70mm

Stamp Size in Miniature Sheet : 30mm X 40mm

Paper : Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Matang Mangroves Stamps SheetPrinting Process : Lithography

Printer : Secura Security Printing Sdn. Bhd.

Designer : Hazel Design

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Presentation Pack Value :RM 4.00

Folder Value :RM 5.00


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