Home › Mammalia › Cercopithecidae › Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus)
Nasalis
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Borneo (East Malaysia)
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Mangroves, riverine forests
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Primates
FAMILY
Cercopithecidae
GENUS
Nasalis
📋 Description
SIZE
Males 66-76 cm (body), 16-22 kg; females 54-64 cm, 7-11 kg
COLORATION
Reddish-brown; large nose in males
ADAPTATIONS
Long tail for balance; webbed feet for swimming
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Mangroves, riverine forests
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Borneo (East Malaysia)
REPRODUCTION
Gestation 166 days, 1 infant
DIET DETAILS
Leaves, fruits, seeds
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, hunting
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Nasal Resonators: The male's oversized nose amplifies honking calls, used to assert dominance and attract mates, a feature unique among primates that can grow to 10 cm long. This adaptation enhances communication across noisy mangrove forests, ensuring group cohesion.
2
River Swimmers: Proboscis monkeys are adept swimmers, using partially webbed feet to cross crocodile-infested rivers, a rare primate trait that aids escape from predators and access to new feeding grounds. Their dives, often from 15-meter-high trees, showcase remarkable agility for a leaf-eating species.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Sukau, Kinabatangan River
Bako National Park
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
April-October. Dry season enhances visibility in mangroves for monkeys.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Take boat tours at dusk to see monkey troops in riverine forests.
