The unusually long-nosed Proboscis Monkey is an endangered species found in the lowlands of East Malaysia

About two-thirds of Malaysia is covered by tropical rainforests and mangrove swamps inhabited by diverse creatures. In fact, about 20% of the world’s animal species can be found in this Southeast Asian country including 300 mammal species, 400 reptile species, 80 species of lizards, 800 bird species, 100 species of snakes and 200 amphibian species. Malaysia is also the natural habitat of a wide variety of beautiful insects.

Given the diverse fauna found in Malaysia, it is no surprise that this is one of the world’s best destinations for bird watching, nature walks, photography and jungle trekking as well as scuba diving. There are plenty of unique creatures in Malaysia and here is a selection of 20 animals with many on the endangered list.

1. Malayan Tiger

Scientific Name: Panthera Tigris Malayensis/Panthera Tigris Jacksoni

Classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List in 2015, there are currently just 250 Malayan Tigers left in the world. Also known as Panthera Tigris Jackson or Panthera Tigris Malayensis, it is called “harimau belang” in Malay, which means “striped tiger”.

These large cats can be found in the Malaysian states of Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor. Major threats to this animal are fast-paced deforestation and hunting for tiger parts, especially the liver, which is believed to be rich in medicinal properties.

The handsome Malayan Tiger is a symbol of strength and power. Its image is seen on many corporate logos in Malaysia. (Source: todayonline.com)

Male tigers measure about 259cm (102 inches) and females about 239cm (94 inches) in length. However, as there is less prey these days, the Malayan Tiger has become smaller in size. The gestation period for these carnivorous cats is between 100 and 110 days, and mating pairs produce two to five cubs per litter. Cubs typically remain under the care of their mother until they are 18 months old.

How you can help
mycat.my/malayan-tiger

2. Asian Elephant

Scientific Name: Elephas Maximus

The Asian Elephant is native to the tropical rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo Island. It is a smaller species of elephant compared to the giant African elephant which is more commonly found.

The Asian Elephant can live up to 48 years and weighs an average of 5,400kg (11,905 lbs) for adult males and 2,700kg (5,953 lbs) for adult females. Male Asian Elephants can reach a height of 2.7m (8.9ft) whilst females can grow to a height of 2.2m (7.2ft). Females give birth every 2.5 to 4 years and each calf weighs between 50 to 150kg (110 to 331 lbs). Most Asian Elephants reach their full size at the age of 17.

The Asian Elephant is one of the biggest mammals on earth. (Source: animalfactguide.com)

These mammals typically eat an average of 150kg of grass, tree bark, roots and stems per day to survive. They also feed on cultivated crops such as bananas, sugarcane and rice. Hence, they are seen as “pests” by farmers and plantation owners.

There are currently 40,000 to 50,000 Asian Elephants living in the wild. Unfortunately, the Asian Elephant is fast becoming extinct due to deforestation and mass poaching. Just like its African counterpart, its tusks are also highly sought after commercially, contributing to its dwindling numbers.

How you can help
fws.gov/international/wildlife-without-borders/asian-elephant-conservation-fund.html

Compared to their bigger African cousins, Asian Elephants have smaller ears and fewer wrinkles. (Source: animalsake.com)

3. Sumatran Rhinoceros

Scientific Name: Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis

The Sumatran Rhinoceros is the smallest rhinoceros on earth and the only Asian species with two horns. The front horn is about 25 to 80cm (0.8 to 2.6ft) in length and the posterior horn is smaller, no more than 10cm (0.3ft). Adult males weigh as much as 950kg (2,094 lbs) and measure 2 to 4m (6.6 to 13ft) in length and 1 to 1.5m (3.3 to 4.9ft) tall.

The Sumatran Rhinoceros is critically endangered due to excessive poaching. There are currently fewer than 100 left in the world. (Source: rhinos.org)

Sumatran rhinos are naturally solitary creatures, only living in groups when they are mating and caring for their young. The females are territorial and avoid each other. Both male and female rhinos regularly mark their territory with saplings, excreta and urine. Females reach sexual maturity at six to seven years old, and males at ten years old. They give birth to one calf at a time, every three to four years. Rhino calves live with their parents until they are 16 to 17 months old. Thereafter, they may live in a group with other juveniles before taking up a solitary lifestyle.

Ironically, the Sumatran rhinoceros was formerly one of the most populous animals in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah but now ranks high amongst the most critically endangered species in the world, numbering at less than 100. Excessive poaching (because of the commercial value of its horns) and deforestation (as a direct result of excessive logging) are the main factors causing the decline in the Sumatran rhinoceros population.

How you can help
savetherhino.org/get_involved

4. Malayan Tapir

Scientific Name: Tapirus Indicus

There are just four types of tapir currently in existence in the world. Among them, only the Malaysian Tapir is found in Asia, particularly in the jungles of Peninsular Malaysia. Locals refer to them as “cipan” or “tenuk”. The uniqueness of the Malayan Tapir is its colouration which comprises of a white or light-coloured patch that extends from its shoulders to its rear end. The remaining parts of its body are black.

Also known as the Asian tapir, the Malayan Tapir is the largest tapir species and can weigh between 250 and 320kg (551 to 705 lbs). Adults measure 1.8 to 2.5m (6 to 8.2ft) in length and females are generally larger than males.

A mother tapir and her baby. (Source: independent.co.uk)

The lifespan of the Malayan tapir is approximately 30 years and the gestation period is 390 to 395 days, after which a single offspring is born. Breeding season is usually between the months of April and June. Tapir calves usually live with their parents until they are six to eight months old. These extremely shy nocturnal tapirs are also known to be excellent swimmers and spend a lot of time close to bodies of water.

Given their large size, these herbivores do not have many predators but they are endangered due to human activity such as deforestation, illegal trade and hunting. Currently, there are less than 370 tapirs left in Malaysia.

How you can help:
conservationjournal.world/conservation/malayan-tapir

5. Lesser Mousedeer

Scientific Name: Tragulus Kanchil

The Lesser Mousedeer is well known in Malaysia and is frequently featured in Malay folklore as the main protagonist, fondly known as Sang Kancil. Although small in stature, Sang Kancil was very clever and could outwit animals many times his size.

The Lesser Mousedeer is differentiated from its cousin, the Greater Mousedeer, by the distinctive inverted chevron pattern on its throat and upper chest. It has reddish brown fur and white markings at its neck.

Fondly called Sang Kancil, the Lesser Mousedeer is featured in many Malay folk tales. (Source: igoterra.com)

A mature adult Lesser Mousedeer weighs about 2kg (4.4 lbs) and eats mostly fruits and leaves. It is only about 0.5m (18 inches) long and its small size makes it easy prey. Its gestation period is between five to six months and adult females usually give birth to only one fawn. Weaning takes place at the age of three months and the fawn reaches its full size when it is five months old.

6. Malayan Pangolin

Scientific Name: Manis Javanic

The Malayan Pangolin, also known as the Sunda Pangolin, is easily recognisable by its signature scaly armour that doubles as a self-defence mechanism. When it feels threatened, it rolls itself into a ball so that the hard scales protect its softer, more vulnerable body parts.

Its powerful claws are ideal for digging into the ground in search of ants or for tearing into termite mounds, allowing it to feed on 200,000 ants or termites a day. The toothless pangolin uses its sticky long tongue to swallow the insects whole.

A baby pangolin rides on the base of its mother’s tail (Source: star2.com

This nocturnal creature rests by day in burrows or tree holes. Due to its small eyes, the Malayan Pangolin has poor eyesight but makes up for this with its sharp sense of hearing and smell. A naturally solitary creature, male pangolins attract females by marking their territory with urine and waiting for a female to find them.

A newborn pangolin is about 15cm (6 inches) long with pale soft scales that start to harden by the second day. Baby pangolins are nursed for three to four months and the mother protects her baby by curling her body around it when sleeping or when it is in danger. The baby pangolin rides on the base of its mother’s tail once it is big enough and is allowed to venture out of the burrow to forage for ants or termites.

Malayan pangolins are endangered as they are hunted for their scales and other body parts believed to have medicinal properties by practitioners of alternative medicine.

How you can help
savepangolins.org

7. Malayan Flying Lemur

Scientific Name: Galeopterus Variegatus

This is an often misunderstood animal as it is not a lemur nor can it really fly. The Malayan Flying Lemur is actually a colugo that is able to glide up to a distance of 100m (328ft). It has a kite-shaped membrane (called patagium) around its body that allows it to glide between trees when extended. Weighing between 0.9 and 2kg (2 to 4.4 lbs) with a body length of 0.3 to 0.4m (13 to 16.5 inches), this nocturnal creature has fine, short fur that is either reddish or brownish grey.

The Malayan Flying Lemur in action (Source: conservationforthewild.wordpress.com)

Adult females go through a gestation period of 60 days before giving birth to a single baby; twin births are rare for this species. Newborns are underdeveloped and are carried by their mothers in pouches formed by folded patagium near the tail until they are ready to be weaned.

8. Gaur

Scientific Name: Bos Gaurus

One of the largest bovine species, the Gaur or “seladang” in Malay is dark brown or black with white feet. Adult male gaur are 1.7 to 2.2m (5.6 to 7.2ft) tall and weigh between 600 to 1000kg (1,323 to 2,205 lbs) while females weigh between 450 to 800kg (993 to 1,764 lbs). Male gaur have horns that curve inwards from thick bases while females have more upright horns that curve inwards from thin bases. Although large in size, these creatures are actually timid and shy.

The Gaur is one of the largest bovine species. (Source: inaturalist.org)

Gaur herds are led by older females while males generally lead a solitary life, only joining the herds to mate. The calf is born after a gestation period of approximately 275 days and is weaned after seven to twelve months. These large bovines produce a distinctive scent that is believed to help repel insects.

9. Leatherback Sea Turtle

Scientific Name: Dermochelys Coriacea

The largest of all sea turtles, these gentle giants have an average lifespan of 45 years. With lengths between 1.2 to 1.8m (4 to 6ft) and weighing about 300 to 500kg (660 to 1,100 lbs), the leatherback turtle feeds on a diet of jellyfish.

A female leatherback sea turtle digging in the sand (Source: Wikimedia)

Females nest between four to seven times per season producing an average of 80 fertilised eggs the size of snooker balls and 30 smaller unfertilised eggs in each nest. The incubation period is 65 days and leatherback females may change nesting spots although they tend to stay in the same region. The temperature of the nests will determine the sex of the baby turtles — higher temperatures produce females and cooler temperatures produce males. Female hatchlings will return to nest in the same area once they reach maturity while males spend their entire lives at sea after maturity.

There are an estimated 34,000 – 36,000 nesting females but the leatherback turtle population is threatened by commercial fishing and pollution. Leatherbacks often die from accidentally ingesting plastic bags or balloons that they mistake for jellyfish.

How you can help
conserveturtles.org/information-about-sea-turtles-leatherback-sea-turtle

Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/20-animals-turtle.mp4

10. Bornean Orangutan

Scientific Name: Pongo Pygmaeus

Compared to its cousin, the Sumatran orangutan, the Bornean orangutan has a broader face and shorter beard. They are also slightly darker in colour. There are three subspecies of Bornean orangutan according to location:

• Northwest Bornean orangutan: The most threatened subspecies due to loss of natural habitat caused by logging and hunting. Only 1,500 or so remain.
• Northeast Bornean orangutan: The smallest in size, found in Sabah and eastern Kalimantan.
• Central Bornean orangutan: The largest in number, with a population of at least 35,000.

The orangutan mother shares a close bond with her baby. (Source: worldwildlife.org)

The orangutan or “man of the forest” eats mostly fruits, young leaves, shoots, tree bark, insects and soil. This omnivore has an average lifespan of 30 to 40 years, weighs between 33 to 82kg (73 to 180 lbs) and stands at a height of 1.2 to 1.5m (4 to 5ft). While male orangutans are solitary creatures, mothers and their young share a very close, loving bond. Baby orangutans live with their mothers until they are six or seven years old, when they develop the means to survive in the wild on their own. Females give birth once every eight years.

How you can help
worldwildlife.org/species/bornean-orangutan

11. Proboscis Monkey

Scientific Name: Nasalis Larvatus

Easily recognisable by its large pendulous nose, the Proboscis Monkey has light brown fur that is reddish around the head and shoulders. Males can reach 23kg (50 lbs) in weight while females are roughly half that size. The male Proboscis Monkey attracts potential mates with its large fleshy nose but females are the ones to initiate mating. The gestation period is about 160 days and male offspring leave the group when they are about 18 months old. Females can remain with the group all their lives if they wish to.

The Proboscis Monkey is recognisable by its unusually pendulous nose (Source: Pinterest)

As the primate world’s most prolific swimmers, proboscis monkeys live in an organised harem near water bodies such as mangroves, rivers and swamps. ‘Harem’ here denotes a group consisting of a dominant male with two to seven female partners and their babies. Their diet consists mainly of leaves, seeds and unripe fruits plus occasional insects. They have a unique foregut-fermenting digestive system, very much like a cow’s — the proboscis monkey regurgitates, chews and swallows its food for the second time for further digestion.

In the wild, these primates can live up to 13 years.

Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/20-animals-proboscis-monkey.mp4

12. Crab-eating Macaque

Scientific Name: Macaca Fascicularis

The crab-eating macaque is a monkey species native to Southeast Asia. Contrary to its name, it does not eat only crabs but also fruits, nuts, seeds, insects and other small crustaceans. Locals name them “kera” in Malay and they are highly sociable creatures, living in troops of five to sixty monkeys. Commonly found close to water, their natural habitat includes lowland forests, tropical jungles and mangroves, and they are easily recognisable by their long tails which help them to balance.

A baby crab-eating macaque explores the world while its mother protectively holds on to its long tail. (Source: jungledragon.com)

This carnivorous primate has a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Adults are 0.4 to 0.6m (15 to 22 inches) tall and weigh between 3 to 9kg (7 to 20 lbs). These small monkeys are nimble and quick, and can reach speeds of 48 km/h (30mph). However, due to their small size, they are easy prey for predators such as tigers, eagles and larger reptiles. As a result, these arboreal primates spend most of their lives in the safety of the trees.

The gestation period of the crab-eating macaque is approximately six months and females give birth to a single baby. Babies remain under the care of their mothers until they are two years old. Thereafter, males will join another troop while females remain with their troop all their lives.

Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/20-animals-crab.mp4

13. Siamang

Scientific Name: Symphalangus Syndactylus

The siamang, with its long dark hair, is the largest member of the gibbon family. It has a throat sac called a gular sac that can be inflated to the size of its head allowing it to make loud sounds. The loudest of the gibbons, the call of the male siamang is distinct from the female’s.

Males are about 90cm (3ft) tall and weigh approximately 7kg (15 lbs) while females are smaller in size. This extremely agile gibbon has a lifespan of 35 to 40 years and generally does not live long in captivity. Although they are sociable animals, they mate for life and live in groups consisting of their own offspring that are less than seven years of age.

A siamang baby lives under the care of its mother until it is about seven years old.

Unlike other apes, they do not make “sleeping nests” but sleep sitting upright, resting on ischial callosities which are thick pads on their posteriors. Siamangs are omnivores that eat fruits, leaves, flowers, seeds, tree bark, tender plant shoots as well as insects, spiders, bird eggs and small birds.

14. Malayan Peacock-Pheasant

Scientific Name: Polyplectron Malacense

This medium-sized pheasant is closely related to the Bornean peacock pheasant. Also known as the Crested Peacock Pheasant, it has the shortest tail and pale brown plumage with black spots and bands, creating the “salt and pepper” effect found in most peacock pheasants. Luminous blue-green eyespots are found on its upper wings, back and rectrices.

The male Malayan Peacock-Pheasant uses ritualised postures and plumage displays to court females.

Males are slightly bigger in size (about 40cm/16 inches long) with larger tails that are less than 20cm (8 inches) long. The male pheasant’s plumage is also more colourful than the female’s. Females can also be recognised by the eyespots that are only located on their flight feathers called ‘remiges’ and rectrices, which are larger tail feathers used to steer during flight.

Mating rituals include ritualised postures and plumage displays. The Malayan Peacock-Pheasant is one of the few pheasants to produce just a single egg. The incubation period is 22 or 23 days. Hatchlings resemble females with light brown down and less developed eyespots on their rectrices.

15. Rhinoceros Hornbill

Scientific Name: Buceros Rhinoceros

The Rhinoceros Hornbill has a distinctive banana-shaped casque on top of its beak (Source: nashvillezoo.org)

Easily recognisable by the distinctive golden-yellow horn on its beak, called a casque, the black-feathered Rhinoceros Hornbill is mainly found in Sarawak where it is regarded as a sacred animal. Both male and female rhinoceros hornbills looks similar and the only way to distinguish between them is by the colour of their eye rings — orange or red for males and white for females.

The rhinoceros hornbill’s diet primarily consists of fruits and insects but it sometimes feeds on small reptiles, rodents and smaller birds. These hornbills are generally monogamous and their nesting rituals are rather unique. The mating pair builds their nest inside a hollow tree. The opening is then sealed with mud, food remains and faeces with the female inside, incubating her eggs. During incubation, the female does not leave the nest and her partner feeds her with regurgitated food through a small hole in the opening.

Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/20-animals-Hornbills.mp4

16. Malayan Leaf Frog

Scientific Name: Megophrys Nasuta

The Malayan Leaf Frog is a large frog with brownish leaf-like patterns on its skin that allow it to camouflage itself, making it almost impossible to detect amongst a pile of dead leaves. It is also known as the Long-nosed Horned Frog due to the structure of its nose.

Can you spot the frog? (Source: Wikimedia)

These stealthy amphibians are sexually dimorphic. Adult females are often two to three times bigger than the males and are capable of laying anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand eggs. The incubation period is 12 days and it takes about 2.5 months for hind legs to appear on the tadpoles.

The typical diet of the Malayan Leaf Frog consists of insects, slugs, worms, centipedes, scorpions and other small mammals. These opportunistic feeders are able to eat relatively large prey due to their wide mouths. It is said that snails as large as two-inches wide may be eaten.

Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/20-animals-leaf-frog.mp4

17. Malayan Roundleaf Bat

A rare image of this elusive, critically endangered bat (Source: planet-mammiferes.org)

Scientific Name: Hipposideros Nequam

The Malayan Roundleaf Bat is found only in Malaysia, specifically in Klang, Selangor.

Listed as critically endangered, not much is known about this horseshoe bat except that its lifespan is approximately five years. It is also known as the Malayan Leaf-nosed Bat.

18. Bornean Bearded Pig

Scientific Name: Sus barbatus

Endemic to Peninsular and East Malaysia, the Bornean Bearded Pig is easily recognisable by its signature yellowish white beard. Listed as a vulnerable species, its population is declining rapidly due to aggressive hunting for the exotic meat trade. This wild pig can be found in high and lowland forests as well as peat swamps and mangrove forests.

Contrary to what many may assume, these bearded pigs are relatively slender and hairless compared to their other wild pig cousins. Males are slightly larger than females, with two pairs of small warts on their faces.

The Bornean Bearded Pig is nomadic and can travel up to 22km in a month.

Prior to giving birth, the pregnant sow builds her nest from vegetation. After a gestation period of 90 to 120 days, the mother gives birth to a litter of three to eleven piglets, depending on her size. Piglets remain with their mothers for up to a year. This nomadic animal is the only pig species to undertake annual migration.

19. Papilionidae

Scientific Name: Graphium Procles

Graphium procles (Source: en.butterflycorner.net)

This tailless butterfly of the family Papilionidae is native to the Crocker Range in Borneo, including Mount Kinabalu in Sabah. Found in forests as high as 1,000 metres, it has a wingspan of about 5 to 6cm (2 to 2.3 inches).

This endangered species has black forewings with little white spots at the outer edges, and small black hind wings with wavy edges and a chain of little white spots. Larger white spots can also be seen in the middle of its wings.

20. Elongated Tortoise

Scientific Name: Indotestudo Elongata

Native to Southeast Asia and commonly found in Malaysia, Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam, the adult Elongated Tortoise can grow up to 30cm (12 inches) in length and weigh 3.5kg (7 lbs). Females have wider bodies and tend to be heavier while males have larger tails.

The elongated tortoise is an endangered species and the population is fast dwindling due to mass harvesting for food in China and also the high demand for ground tortoise shells believed to be an aphrodisiac.

This tame tortoise has a lifespan of 20 to 50 years. (Source: reptilesweb.com)

Also known as the Pineapple Tortoise, it feeds mainly on vegetables and edible leaves but also eats eggs, snails, insects and meat in protected captivity. Breeding typically occurs during the rainy season and the mating ritual of the elongated tortoise is rather violent with the male ramming into the female and biting her around the neck, head and front legs.

Before laying her eggs, the female will use her back legs to dig a flask-shaped nest that is about 15 to 20cm (5.9 to 7.9 inches) deep. She will lay two to four eggs and cover it with soil. The incubation period is between 130 to 190 days.

References:

• http://www.iucnredlist.org/
• http://en.butterflycorner.net/Graphium-procles.1292.0.html
• https://www.arkive.org/
• https://www.inaturalist.org
• https://www.worldwildlife.org
• https://conservationforthewild.wordpress.com
• https://www.fws.gov/international/wildlife-without-borders

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