What kind of animal is a proboscis monkey? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. As you can probably guess from its name, it is a member of the monkey family with a very long nose, reminiscent of a tengu. They are actually designated as an endangered species. We are in a critical situation.
What is a proboscis monkey? About basic status
The proboscis monkey is a monkey classified in the genus Proboscis in the order Primates and the family Cercopitheinae. The scientific name is Nasalis larvatus, and the kanji is Tenguzaru. The list of information is as follows. The total length is 60-70cm and the weight is 10-20kg.
| Japanese（和名） | テングザル |
| English（英名） | Long-nosed monkey Proboscis monkey |
| scientific name(学名) | Nasalis larvatus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Primates、 Cercopithecidae、Nasalis 哺乳綱、霊長目、オナガザル科、テングザル属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 60-70cm |
| Weight（体重） | 10-20kg |
scientific classification
- 界：動物界 (Animalia)
- 門：脊索動物門 (Chordata)
- 綱：哺乳綱 (Mammalia)
- 目：霊長目 (Primates)
- 亜目：真猿亜目 (Haplorhini)
- 科：オナガザル科 (Cercopithecidae)
- 属：テングザル属 (Nasalis)
- 種：Nasalis larvatus（テングザル）
About habitat
Proboscis monkeys are distributed on the island of Borneo (Malaysia).
- Geographical Distribution
Distribution: Southeast Asia, endemic to Borneo (Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei)
Country Distribution:
Indonesia (Kalimantan)
Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak)
Brunei
- Forest Environment
Prefers tropical rainforest swamps and lowland forests along rivers
Also found in mangroves, estuarine forests, and swamp forests
Selects areas with an abundance of large trees suitable for arboreal life
- Behavioral Environment
Live in tall trees, moving, eating, and resting
Rarely descends to the ground, but may cross rivers and swamps
Vulnerable to deforestation, and habitat fragmentation affects populations
- Food Relationships
Eating fruits, leaves, flowers, and bark, they live mainly in the canopy layer, where food resources are abundant
Riverside and swamp forests are rich in fruit and leaves, making them ideal habitats
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The most distinctive feature of proboscis monkeys is their distinctive large nose. The male’s nose is particularly large, measuring 10 cm. The coat color is chestnut or reddish brown from the head to the shoulders and back. The limbs and ventral side are pale gray. The face is red and the base of the tail is black. Proboscis monkeys live near rivers, such as mangroves, forests, and wetlands. They are active during the day and live mostly in trees. They are agile on the tree and can move from branch to branch.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Type: Large Cercopithecus monkey, with long limbs adapted to arboreal life
Body Length: Males approximately 65-75 cm, Females approximately 55-65 cm (Tail approximately 75-85 cm)
Weight: Males approximately 16-24 kg, Females approximately 7-12 kg
Tail: Long, helps maintain balance in the trees
Fur Color: Reddish-brown to brown long hair, slightly thinner on the abdomen and limbs
Face: Males have a distinctive large, protruding snout
Females have a smaller, less prominent snout
- Movement/Behavior
Completely arboreal: Moves skillfully from branch to branch
Moves by hanging and jumping using their long limbs and tail
Rarely descends to the ground
- Diet
Omnivorous, almost herbivorous
Fruit, leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, etc.
Occasionally eats insects
Moves through fruit- and leafy tree canopies to feed
- Sociality
Live in large groups (several dozen to over a hundred individuals)
While there are hierarchical and territorial differences within the group, they are relatively peaceful.
Communicate through vocalizations and gestures.
- Appearance
Males are characterized by their large noses and reddish-brown fur.
These monkeys have a striking appearance and are adept at moving about in the trees using their long tails and limbs.
What is your personality like?
Proboscis monkeys, like many monkeys, are highly social. Therefore, they place great importance on discipline, and will also warn other members of danger.
- Gentle and Sociable
They often live cooperatively in groups and are relatively peaceful.
Living in large groups means cooperation between individuals is important.
While conflicts do occur between males and within the group, they are not violent and are resolved primarily through threats or vocalizations.
- Vigilance and Timidity
They are highly alert and sensitive to humans and predators.
When they sense danger, they quickly move up the treetops to avoid it.
They rarely descend to the ground and live in the safety of the trees.
- Intelligence and Curiosity
Highly intelligent and able to adapt to their environment.
They have the judgment to select and eat fruits and leaves.
They are cautious about new environments and changes, but are also curious.
- Social Communication
They communicate with their peers through vocalizations and gestures.
Males sometimes use their noses to emphasize their calls.
They have developed vocalizations and body movements to indicate rank and territory within the group.
What does the ecology look like?
Proboscis monkeys are herbivorous and feed on plants, young mangrove leaves, and other tree leaves. The breeding season is from February to November, and the gestation period is over 200 days. Births take place in trees, and it is possible to give birth to one to two calves at a time. It has a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
- Living Environment
Habitat: Tropical rainforests of Borneo, especially riverside, swampy forests, and mangroves.
Arboreal: Moves, rests, and feeds in the trees, rarely descending to the ground.
Range of Activity: Each group has a territory and moves through the treetops in search of food resources.
- Diet
Omnivorous, leaning towards herbivorous.
Eats fruits, leaves, flowers, bark, and seeds.
Occasionally preys on insects.
Forages mainly in the fruit-rich canopy of trees, changing diet with the seasons.
- Sociality and Group Structure
Live in large groups (tens to over a hundred individuals).
Coordinates within the group for feeding, movement, and resting.
Dominance and territory within the group are primarily determined by vocalizations and threatening behavior.
Males use nasal calls to mark their territory and signal their presence.
- Behavior Pattern
Diurnal, active during the day
Jumping and hanging from branch to branch (adapted for arboreal life)
Swiftly evade danger by standing on a branch
May also swim along rivers or in wetlands
- Reproduction
Sexual maturity: Males reach approximately 6-7 years of age, females reach approximately 4-5 years of age
Gestation period: Approximately 166 days (5-6 months)
Litter size: Usually one pup
Rearing: The mother carries the pups, and the pack cooperates to protect them
Cubs grow up dependent on their mother for several months, learning how to live in the trees and forage.
Are there any natural enemies?
Proboscis monkeys are safe because they usually live in trees, but on the ground their natural enemies include tigers and leopards.
About Baby Proboscis Monkeys
This article provides information about baby proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus). They are perfectly adapted to arboreal life and social groups, and grow up under the protection of their mother and her group.
- Birth and Physical Characteristics
Birth Weight: Approximately 1-2 kg
Body Length: Approximately 35-45 cm (Tail is even longer)
Appearance:
Fur is soft and light brown to reddish brown.
Males have small noses at birth that become more prominent as they grow.
Long limbs allow them to cling tightly to their mothers in trees.
- Dependence on Mother
They cling to their mothers for the first few months of life.
Nursing lasts approximately 6-8 months.
They cling to their mothers’ backs and bellies, learning how to navigate and avoid danger in trees.
- Growth and Acquisition
Movement:
Early acquire the ability to grasp branches.
Trained to follow their mother through the tree canopy.
Foraging:
Learns about fruit and leaves by observing their mothers.
Begins to eat small amounts on their own within the first few months.
Social Learning:
Observes and understands relationships and rank with other individuals in the group.
Learns to communicate through vocalizations and gestures.
- Behavioral Characteristics
They hone their motor skills while playing alongside their mothers.
They are highly curious and practice crossing branches and playing small games.
They also learn danger detection from their mothers.
- Protection from Predators
Since young animals are vulnerable to predators on their own, the protection of their mother and herd is essential.
Living in trees, moving quickly, and keeping watch over the herd increases their survival rate.
Is the proboscis monkey an endangered species?
Proboscis monkeys are designated as an endangered species. The reason for this is land development in Southeast Asia. Deforestation is so advanced that there is no land left for them to live on, and as a result they are increasingly attacked by natural enemies. Furthermore, hunting for food and medicine is also a problem. It has been listed since CITES came into effect in 1975, and international trade is severely restricted. It is strictly controlled.
- IUCN Assessment
Classification: EN (Endangered/Critically Endangered)
Reason for Assessment:
Habitat is restricted to parts of Borneo
Habitat loss due to deforestation and wetland destruction
Population decline due to hunting and human activities
- Threat of Extinction
Deforestation and Wetland Development
Habitat loss due to agricultural land conversion, palm oil plantations, and urban development
Depending on specific habitats such as riversides and swamp forests, the impact is significant
Hunting and Trapped
Traditional hunting and limited hunting have affected the population
Habitat Fragmentation
Forest fragmentation has limited the migration range of herds and reduced genetic diversity
- Conservation Status
Found in national parks and protected areas
Internationally, trade is prohibited under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Habitat protection and prevention of illegal hunting are essential to reduce the risk of extinction
Can proboscis monkeys be kept as pets?
Proboscis monkeys are an endangered species and cannot be kept by the general public. We recommend viewing them at zoos and other locations, and asking them to show you around at events. Let’s observe the males and females exhibited in the park.
- Difficulty in Raising
① Unique Habitat
Depending on specific arboreal environments, such as the tropical rainforests of Borneo, riverside areas, and swamp forests
Their long tails and limbs have adapted them to arboreal life, making it impossible to reproduce this lifestyle at home.
② Highly Social
They are highly social, living in groups of several dozen to over a hundred individuals.
Solo keeping is prone to stress and health problems and behavioral abnormalities.
③ Difficulty in Dietary Management
They require a balanced diet of fruits, leaves, flowers, and bark.
It is practically impossible to provide them with the proper nutrition they need at home.
④ Difficulty in Health Management
They require arboreal living, large spaces, and specific environmental conditions.
Risk of diseases and parasites specific to wild animals.
- Legal Restrictions
Subject to the Wildlife Protection Act and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Animals) Appendix I.
Capturing, importing, and raising them is illegal in most countries.
Keeping them in Japan is prohibited without special permission.
- Safety Issues
Wild animals are not accustomed to humans and are prone to aggression and stress.
Crowded captive environments can lead to health problems and behavioral abnormalities.
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