This page contains pictures of some of the animals that I saw in Borneo. The pictures of the flora in Borneo are on a separate flora page.
The highlight in Borneo are the Orangutans, the second largest of the Great Apes. I visited the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Sandakan to see my first Northeast Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio, german: Borneo-Orang-Utan, french: Orang-outan de Bornéo). Here they raise young Orangutans that were rescued from illegal pet trade or found abandoned after poachers killed the mother. There they learn to live in the wild. If they are successful, they are released in the jungle. Sepilok has feedings at 10:00 and at 15:00, during which times you are basically guaranteed to see Orangutans (and other monkeys who steal the food from the Orangutans). I went to the 10:00 feeding with my guide. I was free for the afternoon, so I went to the 15:00 feeding as well. At the first feeding I saw only one Orangutan, at the afternoon feeding there were seven of them that were much more active.
Another highlight was watching a Green Sea Turtle lay her eggs in the Turtle Islands Marine Park. The three Malaysian Turtle Islands in the Marine Park, Pulau Selingaan, Pulau Gulisan, and Pulau Bakkungan Kecil, are a nesting area for Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas, german: Grüne Meeresschildkröte, french: Tortue verte) and Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata, german: Echte Karettschildkröte, french: Tortue imbriquée). Since the nesting seasons for these two species are complimentary, you can watch sea turtles laying eggs basically all year long. The park rangers on the three islands monitor the beaches on these three islands every night for egg-laying females. While the turtles lay their eggs, the park rangers collect them, so the turtle covers an empty hole after she is done laying her eggs. The eggs are then transferred to a fenced hatching area for incubation. Once the baby turtles hatch, they are transferred back to the beach and released. My first question was: "Why don't you raise them for a while till they are big enough, so they have a better chance to survive". The simple answer is that they loose their migration instinct if they grow up in a fenced enclosure. They do not leave the island to grow up in the ocean and then return after some years to mate and lay eggs.
Each evening, the rangers select one nesting turtle for watching by tourists. The rangers briefed us in detail about what we can and cannot do, in order to not disturb the turtle during egg laying. The danger there is that she will abandon the egg laying and return to the ocean if she is disturbed. During the egg laying everybody has to stay behind the turtle so she cannot see us. Noise does not seem to be a problem, but flash photography is, so no flash. I was surprised that this really worked while I was there. Usually there are always a couple of klutzes who can't handle their camera and flash anyway, but this was not the case this time.
Once the egg laying is finished, the turtle will start covering the hole with sand. By that time, the ranger has already removed all the eggs, so the turtle covers an empty hole. The turtle that I was watching laid 97 eggs. At this time you can move around to the front of the turtle to take pictures (still no flash).
Egg laying is very strenuous for turtles and takes a long time. They take some ½ hour to find a spot for a nest. They then dig a hole for about one hour, lay eggs for ½ hour, and then cover the hole for another hour. Then they have the ½ hour trek back to the ocean. One female usually comes back to the beach 6-7 times in one season. She then goes back to the deep ocean for 2-3 years, before returning for another egg laying season. All the turtles are marked with metal tags when they lay eggs for the first time, and the rangers keep track of which turtle lays eggs when and how many.
One important draw for me were the primates, and in particular the apes. During my trip to Borneo I saw two more of the Apes species, Northeast Bornean Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio, german: Borneo-Orang-Utan, french: Orang-outan de Bornéo) and North Bornean Gray Gibbon (Hylobates funereus, german: Müller-Gibbon, french: Gibbon de Müller). The Orangutans are the second largest of the Great Apes (after the Gorilla), the Gibbons are the smallest of the Apes. The Gibbons are purely arboreal, they never go to the ground. They are fantastic acrobats in the trees, and can easily leap between trees.
Other animals to see in the various rain forest areas in Borneo are many species of monkeys, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
The strangest looking of the primates is the the Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus, german: Nasenaffe, french: Long-nez), a species endemic to Borneo. Other monkeys are the Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis, german: Javaneraffe, french: Macaque crabier), the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina, german: Südlicher Schweinsaffe, french: Macaque à queue de cochon), the Maroon Leaf Monkey, or Maroon Langur (Presbytis rubicunda, german: Maronenlangur, french: Semnopithèque rubicond). I also saw the Bornean Tarsier (Cephalopachus bancanus borneanus, german: Sunda-Koboldmaki, french: Tarsier de Bornéo). These night-active animals are very difficult to spot, because their eyes do not reflect light like those of most of the other animals do. They are therefore very difficult to locate.
In the Tabin Reserve I saw quite a few larger mammals during the night drives. I saw Bornean and Sumatran Leopard Cats (Prionailurus javanensis sumatranus, german: Sundakatze), several species of civet, and flying squirrels and Sunda Flying Lemurs (Galeopterus variegatus, german: Malaien-Gleitflieger, french: Galéopithèque de Temminck), no relation to the lemurs in Madagascar.
Reptiles are mostly lizards, but also some snakes. Most impressive here was the Southeast Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator macromaculatus, german: Bindenwaran, french: Varan malais), which can grow to impressive lengths. I saw a couple of them that were over 2 m (7 ft) long.
Amphibians are mostly out at night. I saw several species of frogs, including the strange looking Long-nosed Horned Frog (Pelobatrachus nasutus, german: Zipfelkrötenfrosch, french: Grenouille cornue asiatique).
There are lots of insects in the rain forest. The strangest looking one was the Southeast Asian Pill Millipede (Zephroniidae gen.) and the Lantern Bug (Pyrops sidereus).
Earth worm tower. (560k) Honey bees nest. (696k) Insect eggs on a leaf. (563k) Firefly. (452k) The dark channel on the left side of the rattan stalk is a covered nest of ants. When you shake the plant, the ants make a rhythmic loud noise for about 10 seconds. This was really weird to hear. (786k) Ants nest. (691k) Giant Forest Ant ssp. gigas (Dinomyrmex gigas gigas). These ants are about 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2") long. They are fairly docile, they do not attack easily. (670k) Cricket (Nisitrus vittatus, french: Eneopterinae). (505k) Katydid (Tettigoniidae gen., german: Laubheuschrecken). (609k) Grasshopper (Stenocatantops splendens). (931k) Raspy Cricket (Capnogryllacris sp.). (435k) Blind cave Cricket (Gryllidea fam.) in the bat cave. They have enormously long antenna that they use to orient themselves in the dark. (952k) Wasp Moth or Handmaiden Moth (Syntomini gen.). (491k) Mating stick insects (Aschiphasmatidae gen.). (451k) Giant Dead Leaf Mantis (Deroplatys desiccata). (488k) Praying Mantis (Hierodula dyaka). (523k) Dragonfly (Orthetrum schneideri). (542k) Grenadier (Agrionoptera insignis). (549k) Indonesian Red-winged Dragonfly (Neurothemis terminata). (624k) Spine-tufted Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysis). (731k) Spider web after the rain. (699k) Harvestman (Gagrellinae gen.). (608k) Lichen Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda boiei). (742k) Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae gen., german: Riesenkrabbenspinnen). (704k) Bornean Tarantula (Phormingochilus sp.). (512k) Golden-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cosmodela aurulenta, german: Cicindela, french: Cicindela). (926k) Sap-sucking Broad-headed Bug (Leptocorisa sp.). (566k) Sal Borer (Hoplocerambyx spinicornis, french: Cerambycini). (778k) Female Moellenkampi Beetle (Chalcosoma moellenkampi). (764k) Atlas Beetle ssp. keyboh (Chalcosoma atlas keyboh, german: Atlaskäfer, french: Scarabée-atlas). (565k) Lantern Bug (Pyrops sidereus). Notice the lizard sitting right behind it. I saw that a couple of times, but the lizards did not seem to hunt them. (485k) Lantern Bugs (Pyrops sidereus). (617k) Cicada (Cicadoidea fam.). (502k) Cicada (Cicadoidea fam.). Some of them were extremely loud. The loudest one was probably the 6 o'clock cicada. It starts to make noise every evening at just about 18:00 till sunset. (485k) Round-backed Millipede (Juliformia ord.). (764k) Southeast Asian Pill Millipede (Zephroniidae gen.). They are really big in Borneo. This one was about 10 cm (4") long. (673k) Southeast Asian Pill Millipede (Zephroniidae gen.). When you disturb a pill bug, it rolls into a ball. This ball was about 3 cm (1.2") in diameter. (541k) Bark Centipede (Scolopendromorpha fam., german: Riesenläufer). These guys are venomous (as opposed to the millipedes, which are harmless). (599k) Tiger Leech (Haemadipsa guangchuanensis, german: Tigeregel). (386k) This Land Leech (Haemadipsa sp.) had found its way onto my arm. (595k) Large Snail (Ariophantinae gen.). (593k) Tussock Moth Caterpillar (Lymantriinae gen., german: Trägspinner). (459k) Tussock Moth Caterpillar (Orgyiini gen.). (796k) Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina, german: Gewöhnliche Eierfliege). (666k) Blue Pansy butterfly (Junonia orithya, french: Pensée bleue). (540k) Clipper butterfly (Parthenos sylvia, german: Blauer Segelfalter). (760k) Pearly-eye butterfly (Lethe darena). (572k) Grey Pansy butterfly (Junonia atlites). (717k) Malayan Five-ring butterfly (Ypthima horsfieldii). (643k) Malayan Birdwing butterfly (Troides amphrysus). (555k) Black-and-white Helen Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio nephelus). (547k) Bornean Oakleaf (Kallima buxtoni) showing the camouflaged underside of its wings. (498k) Close-up of a large Sphinx Moth (Sphingidae gen., german: Schwärmer, french: Sphinx). (515k) Giant Lappet Moth (Eupterote asclepiades). (598k) Striped Green Hawkmoth (Cechenena lineosa). (446k) Tropical Swallowtail Moth (Lyssa zampa). (520k) Tropical Swallowtail Moth (Lyssa zampa). (724k) Well camouflaged Moth (Mocis sp.). (750k) Ghost Crab (Ocypode sp., french: Crabes fantômes). (728k) Ghost Crab coming out of its burrow. (726k) Thick-legged Fiddler Crab (Paraleptuca crassipes). They have this one large claw that they wave around to impress mates. (671k) Thick-legged Fiddler Crab (Paraleptuca crassipes). (789k) Hermit Crab (Coenobita sp.). (592k) Crabs in the mud flats in Kota Kinabalu. You can see the eye stalks of several crabs in this picture, but not the crabs themselves. (406k) Chasen's Frilled Tree Frog (Kurixalus chaseni), endemic to Borneo. (471k) Common Tree Frog (Polypedates leucomystax). (447k) Dark-eared Tree Frog (Polypedates macrotis). (493k) Female Harlequin Tree Frog (Rhacophorus pardalis). (367k) Long-nosed Horned Frog, hiding (Pelobatrachus nasutus, german: Zipfelkrötenfrosch, french: Grenouille cornue asiatique). (734k) Long-nosed Horned Frog, sitting up (Pelobatrachus nasutus, german: Zipfelkrötenfrosch, french: Grenouille cornue asiatique). They are very territorial and don't move much. I saw this one on two different days in the same place. (706k) Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus, german: Asiatischer Hausgecko, french: Gecko asiatique). (797k) Sabah Slender Skink (Sphenomorphus sabanus), endemic to Borneo. (665k) Green Crested Lizard (Bronchocela cristatella). (669k) Black-barbed Flying Dragon (Draco melanopogon). I didn't see this one glide. (639k) Borneo Forest Dragon (Gonocephalus bornensis, german: Winkelkopfagamen). It is endemic to Borneo. (762k) Borneo Forest Dragon. Notice the mosquito sitting below the eye. (592k) Southeast Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator macromaculatus, german: Bindenwaran, french: Varan malais). (1018k) Swimming Southeast Asian Water Monitor. (923k) Closer view of a Southeast Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator macromaculatus, german: Bindenwaran, french: Varan malais). (764k) Elegant Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis formosus). (447k) Banded Flying Snake (Chrysopelea pelias, french: Serpent volant). (799k) Malayan Bridal Snake (Lycodon subannulatus). (537k) Bornean Keeled Green Pitviper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus). This one is venomous. (542k) Bornean Keeled Green Pitviper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus) curled up in a tree. (586k) Small fish. (686k) These fish were picking up food from the pond floor. In doing so, they would roll over and show their silvery belly (on the right). You could constantly see these bright flashes of light from the pond bottom. (668k) This is what was left in the morning of a turtle laying eggs. The rangers had removed all the eggs and put them in their hatchery. (869k) Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas, german: Grüne Meeresschildkröte, french: Tortue verte) covering her nest with sand. (918k) Green Sea Turtle laying eggs. (537k) Turtle hatchery. Each clutch of eggs is buried in the sand and surrounded by wire mesh to keep the young turtles from running away when they hatch. The rangers collect them in the night when they hatch and release them in the ocean. (1093k) Baby sea turtle scrambling for the water. (1056k) Computer display of the egg laying and hatching statistics on the three turtle islands in the park. (376k) Bats emerging from their cave, on their way to foraging for insects (mostly Wrinkle-lipped Free-tailed Bats (Chaerephon plicatus, german: Freischwanzfledermäuse)). (691k) Bats emerging from their cave. (501k) Bats emerging from their cave. (544k) Sheath-tailed Bats (Emballonura sp.) resting during the day. (777k) Low's Squirrel (Sundasciurus lowii, german: Low-Hörnchen). (682k) Prevost's Squirrel (Callosciurus prevostii, german: Prevost-Hörnchen, french: Écureuil de Prévost). (833k) Red Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista, german: Taguan). (625k) Sunda Flying Lemur (Galeopterus variegatus, german: Malaien-Gleitflieger, french: Galéopithèque de Temminck). This is no relation to the lemurs of Madagascar. (557k) Bornean Tarsier (Cephalopachus bancanus borneanus, german: Sunda-Koboldmaki, french: Tarsier de Bornéo). Note the large eyes of this nocturnal animal. (522k) Bornean Tarsier (Cephalopachus bancanus borneanus, german: Sunda-Koboldmaki, french: Tarsier de Bornéo). Note the long, skinny toes. (480k) Philippine Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus philippinensis, german: Fleckenmusang, french: Civette palmiste hermaphrodite). (734k) Malayan Civet (Viverra tangalunga, german: Malaiische Zibetkatze, french: Civette de Malaisie). (754k) Malayan Civet (Viverra tangalunga, german: Malaiische Zibetkatze, french: Civette de Malaisie). (732k) Bornean and Sumatran Leopard Cat (Prionailurus javanensis sumatranus, german: Sundakatze). (648k) Greater Mouse Deer (Tragulus napu, german: Großkantschil, french: Grand chevrotain malais). (925k) Bornean Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor brookei, german: Sambar, french: Sambar). (596k) Southern Pig-tailed Macaques (Macaca nemestrina, german: Südlicher Schweinsaffe, french: Macaque à queue de cochon). (825k) Southern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina, german: Südlicher Schweinsaffe, french: Macaque à queue de cochon). (752k) Southern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina, german: Südlicher Schweinsaffe, french: Macaque à queue de cochon). (943k) Southern Pig-tailed Macaques (Macaca nemestrina, german: Südlicher Schweinsaffe, french: Macaque à queue de cochon). They were very curious. This one tried to look into my window to see what was in there. But as soon as I moved inside, he ran away. (636k) Close-up of one of the macaques (either pig-tailed or long-tailed). (454k) Southern Pig-tailed Macaques climbing up to their overnight tree. (940k) Southern Pig-tailed Macaques climbing up to their overnight tree. (1268k) Southern Pig-tailed Macaques in their overnight tree. (1243k) Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis, german: Javaneraffe, french: Macaque crabier). (778k) Long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis, german: Javaneraffe, french: Macaque crabier). (938k) Maroon Leaf Monkey (Presbytis rubicunda, german: Maronenlangur, french: Semnopithèque rubicond). It is endemic to Borneo. (629k) Maroon Leaf Monkey (Presbytis rubicunda, german: Maronenlangur, french: Semnopithèque rubicond). Same species as previous one, different color morph. (625k) Female Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus, german: Nasenaffe, french: Long-nez). It is endemic to Borneo. (715k) Male Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus, german: Nasenaffe, french: Long-nez). (739k) Male Proboscis Monkey. (733k) Male Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus, german: Nasenaffe, french: Long-nez), screaming at competitors to defend his territory. (700k) Male Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus, german: Nasenaffe, french: Long-nez), advertising his prowess by showing off his erect penis. (666k) Proboscis Monkey leaping between trees. (724k) Borneo Pygmy Elephants (Elephas maximus borneensis, german: Borneo-Zwergelefant, french: Éléphant de Bornéo). It is endemic to Borneo. (731k) Borneo Pygmy Elephants (Elephas maximus borneensis, german: Borneo-Zwergelefant, french: Éléphant de Bornéo). (895k)
North Bornean Gray Gibbon (Hylobates funereus, german: Müller-Gibbon, french: Gibbon de Müller)
North Bornean Gray Gibbon (Hylobates funereus, german: Müller-Gibbon, french: Gibbon de Müller), also known as the grey gibbon, is a primate in the gibbon family, Hylobatidae. It is endemic to Borneo.
Unlike other gibbon species, North Bornean Gray Gibbon does not show sexual dimorphism in its fur coloration. Its fur is grey- or brown-colored with a ring of bright fur around its face. On the head, it often has a darkly colored cap. Weighing between 4-8 kg (9-18 lb), it ranks among the smaller of the gibbons.
North Bornean Gray Gibbon is endemic to the island of Borneo, inhabiting the northern and eastern part of the island.
North Bornean Gray Gibbon (Hylobates funereus, german: Müller-Gibbon, french: Gibbon de Müller). It is endemic to Borneo. (828k) North Bornean Gray Gibbon (Hylobates funereus, german: Müller-Gibbon, french: Gibbon de Müller) starting a long leap. This and the next four pictures are a sequence showing a leaping Gibbon. (792k) Leaping Gibbon. (907k) Leaping Gibbon. (925k) Leaping Gibbon. (932k) Leaping Gibbon. (928k)
The Northeast Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio, german: Borneo-Orang-Utan, french: Orang-outan de Bornéo) is a species of orangutan endemic to the island of Borneo. Together with the Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii, german: Sumatra-Orang-Utan, french: Orang-outan de Sumatra), it belongs to the only genus of great apes native to Asia. Like the other great apes, Orangutans are highly intelligent, displaying advanced tool use and distinct cultural patterns in the wild. Orangutans share approximately 97% of their DNA with humans.
The Northeast Bornean Orangutan is a critically endangered species, with deforestation, palm oil plantations and hunting posing a serious threat to its continued existence.
Feeding Northeast Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio, german: Borneo-Orang-Utan, french: Orang-outan de Bornéo) in the Sepilok rehabilitation center. The long-tailed macaques are trying to steal some of the food. The Northeast Bornean Orangutan is endemic to Borneo. (652k) One of the macaques got the courage to grab a bite. (666k) Northeast Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio, german: Borneo-Orang-Utan, french: Orang-outan de Bornéo) at Sepilok. (773k) They use all arms and legs, one only for holding on, the other three for holding food. The baby has no problem hanging on either. (630k) Baby Northeast Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio, german: Borneo-Orang-Utan, french: Orang-outan de Bornéo). (982k) Baby Orangutan. This one came up to our raised walk way. (583k) Baby Orangutan on our raised walk way. (475k) Hangin' in there. (618k) They have long arms. (699k) Female Northeast Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio, german: Borneo-Orang-Utan, french: Orang-outan de Bornéo) feeding near the Abai Jungle Lodge. This one was in the wild, not a captive one. It was somewhat habituated to humans around the lodge, but not dependent on them. (1002k) This is the detritus from her feeding under the tree. (635k) Orangutan tree nest. (1202k) Female Northeast Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio, german: Borneo-Orang-Utan, french: Orang-outan de Bornéo) Sheena with baby Danum. (962k) Big male Northeast Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio, german: Borneo-Orang-Utan, french: Orang-outan de Bornéo). When too many people got too close to his feeding tree, he started to charge us. Everybody scrambled away, you don't want to tangle with an irate big male Orangutan. I could understand that he was miffed at being stared at by 20 or so people, crowding around his tree. (814k) The crowd watching the male Orangutan. (802k)
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