|
Fig 1
|
© Dave Haylock |
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
|
Order : PRIMATES
Family : Cercopithecidae
Species : Nasalis larvatus
Head-body length, male : 55-65 cm
Head-body length, female : 55 cm
Tail length, male : 67-75 cm
Tail length, female : 57-62 cm
Weight, male : 12-23 kg
Weight, female : 10 kg
A unique species, the
Proboscis Monkey is unlike any other primate with its extraordinarily large
nose. The function of the nose is not known, but it is particularly
pronounced in adult males. The fur colour is predominantly light grey to
pale orange, and adult males appear to wear a dark brown 'waistcoat'. Both
males and females have a reddish brown crown and white chin.
Their preferred habitats are riverine forest and
mangrove. During the early morning or late afternoon they are active in
trees lining the water's edge, usually with a large male carefully watching
over the group.
Endemic to Borneo, the
Proboscis Monkey inhabits coastal forests in many areas and can easily be
seen in Brunei Bay, and the Kinabatangan River Sanctuary, Sabah, Borneo.
Fig
1 : Male Proboscis Monkey on the foreshore at Bako National Park, Sarawak, Borneo. Photo thanks to Dave Haylock.
Fig
2 : Female in forest canopy at Telok Paku, Bako National Park, Sarawak,
Borneo.
Fig
3 : An adult male keeps watch over its troupe at Kinabatangan River, Sabah,
Borneo.
Fig
4 : Side profile of adult male, and rear view of its 'waistcoat'.
Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Borneo.
References :
Payne, J., Francis, C.M., 1998. A Field Guide to the Mammals of
Borneo. The Sabah Society. |