Borneo’s tropical rainforests rank among the many most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Greater than 130 million years previous—making them 70 million years older than the Amazon—these historical forests harbor creatures as extraordinary as they’re sudden. Right here, scientists have found a lungless frog that breathes by means of its pores and skin, a so-called “ninja slug” that fires love darts at its mate, the world’s longest insect, a deer that barks, and even tiny pygmy elephants. It’s no marvel Borneo is taken into account a wonderland of weird and astonishing wildlife.
The numbers are simply as spectacular: roughly 222 species of mammals (44 discovered nowhere else), 420 birds (37 endemic), 100 amphibians, and 394 fish (19 endemic). Between 1995 and 2010 alone, researchers recognized greater than 600 new species—a median of three per 30 days—and over 50 of those had been completely new to science.
Let’s meet among the distinctive creatures you may hope to fulfill on a Borneo journey:
Orangutan
Orangutan interprets to “man of the forest,” which is sensible given this primate’s uncanny human resemblance. Like us, orangutans have 4 fingers and a thumb and fingernails. These extremely smart animals with shaggy reddish fur dwell within the lowlands and are comparatively solitary. They make nests in timber of vegetation to sleep at evening and relaxation through the day, making them the heaviest tree-dwelling animal. They’ve outstanding cheek pads referred to as flanges and a throat sac used to make loud verbalizations.
Sadly, orangutan numbers are sharply declining on account of habitat being misplaced at an especially excessive charge from the conversion of forests to grease palm plantations and different agricultural growth. Fires additionally destroy huge areas of orangutan habitat. Regardless of authorized safety in Indonesia since 1931, orangutans are nonetheless captured and stored in households as standing symbols or hunted as meals. Females give start to only one toddler each eight or 9 years, making their populations very vulnerable to even low ranges of looking.
Orangutans feast on wild fruits like lychees, mangosteens and figs and play a significant function within the dispersal of seeds over an enormous space. If orangutans had been to vanish, so would a number of tree species.
Proboscis Monkey
The proboscis monkey, or nasalislarvatus, is a bizarre little reddish–brown primate with an extended nostril (we’re speaking as much as 7 inches in males!). On this species, measurement actually does matter. The longer the nostril, the higher to draw a possible mate. It additionally serves to amplify the sound of warning calls. Residing on a food regimen of primarily mangrove shoots and bugs to keep up its distinctive pot stomach, the proboscis monkey is a strictly protected animal, with consultants suggesting that there are solely round 1,000 remaining within the wild.
Solar Bear
A far cry from the lifetime of a polar bear, solar bears (also called honey bears) dwell within the dense lowland forests of Southeast Asia. A nocturnal and shy species, they’re uncommon to see within the wild. The solar bear is arboreal, so that you’ll have to hold your eyes on the timber if you wish to see one. You’ll be able to inform the solar bear from different species from the distinctive horseshoe marks on their chest—no two markings are ever the identical! Their tongues are as much as 10 inches lengthy and assist them to satiate their voracious urge for food for honey.
Solar bears are important members of their ecosystem as a result of they assist disperse seeds whereas additionally preserving pesky termites in examine. Sadly, their international inhabitants has declined 30% over the previous couple of years, making them the second-rarest bear species subsequent to the Large Panda. On our Nat Hab Wilds of Borneo tour, we have now the possibility to take pleasure in a non-public go to to the Bornean Solar Bear Conservation Middle. Based in 2008, the middle gives care, rehabilitation and launch of orphaned and captive solar bears and will increase consciousness concerning the plight of this little-known bear.
© Frendi Apen Irawan
Sunda Pangolin
The critically endangered Sunda pangolin has been referred to as an “artichoke with legs.” These prehistoric animals have existed for 80 million years. This funky little critter is the one mammal coated in protecting keratin scales and has a freaky tongue that stretches out longer than its physique. Missing tooth, this lengthy, sticky tongue serves to gather ants and termites. Although we all know they feast on a food regimen of ants and bugs, there’s nonetheless little recognized about these elusive, nocturnal animals with prehensile tails. We do know that when threatened, they defend their mushy underparts by crunching right into a roly-poly ball.
Sambar Deer
The nocturnal sambar deer is among the largest species of deer on the earth. Grownup males can attain a size of greater than 7 ft and weigh greater than 440 kilos (one on document even got here in at over a thousand kilos!). They’re at house within the Bornean rainforests and are among the best animals to identify at nightfall. They’re timid, however when disturbed, their first intuition is to freeze earlier than responding to predators with loud barks referred to as ‘pooking’ or ‘belling.’ Additionally they dramatically stomp their ft, and their mane will rise in a confrontational method. They’ve been listed as a susceptible species on the IUCN Pink Record since 2008.
Microhyla Nepenthicola
It’s most likely best to name it by its different identify, the “Matang narrow-mouthed frog.” This newly found species is across the measurement of a pea, making it the second smallest frog on the earth, and it likes to dwell round pitcher vegetation in Kubah Nationwide Park. They had been found after scientists tracked the distinctive and highly effective croaks of the males. Whereas they’re bodily tiny, their voice is large and travels far distances.
© Bernard Dupont
Horsfield’s Tarsier
These great weirdos with glorious leaping and climbing expertise look fairly just like Yoda. They’re nocturnal, and their huge yellow eyes assist them maneuver by means of the darkish. The dimensions of one in every of their eyeballs is identical measurement as their mind, making them the largest-eyed mammal on the earth relative to their physique measurement. The forward-facing slope of their eyes permits tarsiers to precisely assess distances for protected leaping—useful, contemplating they will leap as much as 18 ft. Tarsiers are additionally able to turning their heads practically 180° in every course, that means that they will rotate their heads virtually 360°.
Whereas they might come throughout as cute, tarsiers are the one dwelling carnivorous primate species, and so they use their dexterous arms to aggressively ensnare their prey. Their medley of insect snacks contains beetles, cockroaches, locusts, moths, grasshoppers, butterflies, ants and cicadas. For a feast, they are going to go after birds, bats, frogs and snakes—together with toxic species.
Mouse Deer
Whereas not technically a deer or a mouse (it’s truly categorized as a tragulidae), this nocturnal and solitary critter reaches a not-so-towering peak of barely 12 inches, making it the smallest hooved animal on the earth. Overachievers, these females can conceive simply two hours after start, and new child fauns can stand after half-hour. They’re discovered on forest flooring feeding on leaves, shoots, fruits and typically even fungi.
With spherical our bodies and spindly legs, they appear virtually like a stuffed animal—however inside that cute little mouth are some mighty fangs. A male will angrily beat his hooves when agitated or to chase away predators and warn different mouse deer of hazard. Though they’re land mammals, they will maintain their breath for as much as 4 minutes and sometimes leap into the water to flee predators.
Borneo Pygmy Elephant
The smallest elephant on the earth is among the many cutest animals in Borneo, with its outsized Dumbo ears and lengthy tail. Though it grows to about 9 ft tall, the Bornean pygmy elephant continues to be the most important mammal on the island. Due to deforestation and looking, estimates recommend only one,500 to three,000 stay within the wild, placing the pleasant and lovely elephants in dire want of safety.
As soon as believed to be remnants of a domesticated herd given to the Sultan of Sulu within the seventeenth century, Bornean elephants had been decided by WWF to be genetically completely different from different Asian elephants. DNA proof proved that these elephants had been remoted about 300,000 years in the past from their cousins in mainland Asia and Sumatra.
© Spencer Wright
Clouded Leopard
Preferring to dwell within the treetops, this elusive leopard possesses an unbelievable capacity to climb and hunts smaller mammals, together with deer, pigs and even monkeys. Given their nocturnal and stealthy nature, seeing a clouded leopard within the wild is extraordinarily uncommon. It’s been referred to as probably the most stunning wild cat on Earth and is Borneo’s solely massive cat. At the moment listed as Susceptible on the IUCN Pink Record of Threatened Species, the perfect likelihood of recognizing the clouded leopard is in Deramakot Forest Reserve.
© Brad Josephs
Hornbill
Hornbills are recognized for his or her uncommon double-storied invoice, but additionally noteworthy is that they’ve their very own ‘language.’ They appear to talk to one another in a kind of Morse code whose noise resembles that of a steam engine. This type of communication is how a male hornbill sends messages to his mate by means of the barricade she makes throughout her nesting interval. The pair builds a nest in a tree hole, and as soon as the eggs are laid, the male seals the feminine within the hole, utilizing mud and feces to assemble a wall. Solely a small gap is left in order that the male can move the meals to the feminine and to the chicks as soon as they’re hatched.
Hornbills are extremely loyal to their households, mate for all times and can band collectively to defend one another towards predators. Hornbills have an necessary place in native tradition, signifying nothing lower than the Spirit of God. It’s stated that if a hornbill is noticed flying over your house, good luck will likely be granted to the entire neighborhood.
Saltwater Crocodile
Crocs are simple to see sunbathing on the banks of Kinabatangan River. Regardless that these are the saltwater crocs—probably the most harmful crocodiles on Earth—locals appear to have a peaceable relationship with these animals, that are a lot smaller than their Australian cousins.
Sumatran Rhino
Sadly, the Sumatran rhino is on the verge of extinction. It’s unclear precisely what number of stay, however estimates recommend fewer than 100 dwell in northern Sumatra and Borneo. The Sumatran rhino holds the title of the smallest rhino on the earth. Their our bodies are coated in lengthy hair, they’re the one two-horned rhinos in Asia, and so they have a popularity for being so elusive that even rangers hardly ever see one. So whereas it might be great to identify one on a Borneo journey, realistically, you simply need to be completely happy understanding that they nonetheless exist.
Bornean Sluggish Loris
The Bornean gradual loris (Nycticebus borneanus) is a primate that extra intently resembles a tiny, wide-eyed lemur. Regardless of its lovely look, it holds a uncommon distinction: it’s one of many few venomous mammals on Earth. This nocturnal creature makes use of its toxin—secreted from glands close to its elbows and activated by licking—to discourage predators. Sadly, its cuteness has made it a goal within the unlawful pet commerce. Earlier than being offered, people typically endure brutal therapy, together with having their sharp tooth clipped with nail cutters—usually with out anesthesia—to render them much less harmful. This merciless apply, coupled with habitat loss, makes the pet commerce one of many best threats to the species’ survival. The Bornean gradual loris is at present listed as Susceptible on the IUCN Pink Record. Central Borneo is house to the most important populations, and remarkably, new species of gradual loris are nonetheless being recognized at the moment.
Ninja Slug
This inexperienced and yellow slug (Ibycus rachelae) was just lately found on leaves at altitudes as much as 6,200 ft. The slug boasts a tail that’s 3 times the size of its head, which it likes to wrap round its 1.6-inch-long physique as if it had been performing like a cat. Actually, its discoverers initially wished to call the slug Ibycus felis, after this feline inspiration.
The slug species rapidly made a reputation for itself due to its so-called love darts. Product of calcium carbonate, the love dart is a harpoon-like construction that pierces and injects a hormone into its potential mate, growing the slug’s probabilities of copy.
© Brad Josephs
Pink Large Flying Squirrel
Pink big flying squirrels are among the most considerable animals in Borneo, and when you spend any time within the jungle at evening, you’re just about assured to see them. Borneo has a wide range of flying squirrels, however the pink big flying squirrel is by far the most important of all of them. However know that they don’t truly fly—they merely glide over massive distances with the assistance of a flying membrane flap of pores and skin that extends from their entrance ft to the again ft.
Chan’s Megastick
This monumental supermodel, Phobaeticus chani, is believed to inhabit the excessive rainforest cover, making it particularly elusive and tough to check. Regardless that it’s an insect that’s virtually 2 ft lengthy, little or no is thought about its biology and ecology. Along with being the world’s longest insect, the species additionally wins the insect world document for the longest physique, measuring a formidable 14 inches. Solely three specimens of this extraordinary creature have ever been discovered, all of them from the guts of Borneo.
Bornean Flat-Headed Frog
It might be small—lower than 3 inches lengthy—however the Bornean flat-headed frog holds a outstanding distinction: it’s the world’s first recognized lungless frog. Although initially found in 1978, scientists solely uncovered its astonishing adaptation in 2008. Moderately than counting on lungs, this frog breathes completely by means of its pores and skin—a uncommon trait amongst amphibians. With inner organs occupying the house the place lungs would usually be, its physique takes on a noticeably flattened type. This smooth form isn’t simply odd—it’s useful, serving to the frog glide effortlessly by means of the swift, rocky streams of its rainforest house. Sadly, this extraordinary amphibian is endangered, its future unsure as its habitat continues to shrink.
Prepared for an journey to hunt out Borneo’s uncommon and memorable wildlife? Expedition Chief and professional photographer Courtroom Whelan shares his recommendation for revealing the mystique of Borneo within the Every day Dose of Nature under, together with the best way to {photograph} animals in timber, suggestions for perfecting your wildlife portraiture, and the best way to use publicity and coloration steadiness to convey temper.
