Herb is a Red Speckled Hind but he can change hue. He also has a friend, Herb Junior, with whom he would rather not share food. Herb being the larger of the two will assume a light sand matching colour and come right out away from the reef and wait underneath me as I am kneeling. I will then sneak a piece of food in my hands and cup it by my window (praying posture). Herb will bravely come up to my window and gulp the food before any snappers figure out what is going on. Herb Jr. has to meekly stay on the reef (assuming a darker reef colour) and wait till later in the dive to eat. As of July 2013 we have three red hinds on the squid roll.
Herb is a carnivore. He eats meat and kills fish. This means he has an aggressive attitude that can be harnessed. A human can present themselves in a superior position by having food and be willing to share it. This is how we develop a trusting relationship. Herb looks cute, but if I ignore him for too long he will help himself to my fingers as if to remind me that he is hungry. He has well over a hundred small and very sharp teeth. They all point inward as if to indicate a one way street.
When the snappers go off to mate there is a power vacuum that is filled by the hinds. Herb will come off the bottom and sit on hands, helmet bottoms or what ever is convenient and feels safe.
- Herb is presenting the mouth end in anticipation of food.
- Extremely small hind of a brave hind that knows that every thing is bigger than him.
- Hinds can change their color to mimic sunlight refracting on star coral.
- herb must stay out of Leroy’s way.
- This shot of at least 6 years old when Leroy was not so intimidating.
- herb tolerates being touched because of his confident nature. He sees himself as a predator.
- In 2015 we had 4 hinds. The smaller ones must stay out of the way of Herb Sr.