The Proboscis Monkey :: WLR:- The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) or long-nosed monkey, known as the bekantan in Malay, is a reddish-brown arboreal Old World monkey that is endemic to the south-east Asian island of Borneo. It belongs in the monotypic genus Nasalis, although the pig-tailed langur has traditionally also been included in this genus - a treatment still preferred by some.
The monkey also goes by the Malay name monyet belanda ("Dutch monkey"), or even orang belanda ("Dutchman"), as Indonesians remarked that the Dutch colonisers often had a similarly large belly and nose.
The proboscis monkey is sexuality dimorphic. Males have a head-body length averaging 75.5 cm (29.7 in) and weigh on average 20kg (44.1 lb). Females average 62 cm (24.4 in) in length and weigh half as much as the males. Further adding to the dimorphism is the large nose or proboscis of the male, which can exceed 10cm (3.9 in) in length , dwarfing that of the female, and hangs lower than the mouth. Nevertheless, the nose of the female is still fairly large for a primate. The proboscis monkey has a nearly long coat. Dorsally, the fur is bright orange, reddish brown, yellowish brown or brick-red. The fur is light-grey, yellowish, or greyish to light-orange ventrally. The face is orange-pink. The male has a red penis with a black scrotum. Both sexes have over-sized stomachs that protrude and give the monkeys what resembles a pot belly. Many of the monkey’s toes are webbed
As a seasonal folivore and frugivore, the proboscis monkey eats primarily fruit and leaves. It also eats flowers seeds and insects to a lesser extent. At least 55 different plant species have been recorded used as food sources, with a marked preference for Eugenia sp., Ganua motleyana and Lophopetalum javanicum. Young leaves are preferred over mature leaves and unripe fruits are preferred over ripe fruit. Being a seasonal eater, the proboscis monkey eats mostly fruit from January to May and mostly leaves from June to December. Groups usually sleep in one or several trees that are nearby. In habitats near rivers, monkeys sleep near the river. Proboscis monkeys will start the day feeding and then move further inland. Proboscis monkeys spend most of the daily resting, traveling, feeding and keeping vigilant. Before dark, the monkeys move back near the river and feed again. Predators of the proboscis monkey include crocodiles, clouded leopards, eagles, monitor lizards and pythons. Monkeys will cross rivers at narrows or cross arboreally if possible. This may serve as predator avoidance
The proboscis monkey is sexuality dimorphic. Males have a head-body length averaging 75.5 cm (29.7 in) and weigh on average 20kg (44.1 lb). Females average 62 cm (24.4 in) in length and weigh half as much as the males. Further adding to the dimorphism is the large nose or proboscis of the male, which can exceed 10cm (3.9 in) in length , dwarfing that of the female, and hangs lower than the mouth. Nevertheless, the nose of the female is still fairly large for a primate. The proboscis monkey has a nearly long coat. Dorsally, the fur is bright orange, reddish brown, yellowish brown or brick-red. The fur is light-grey, yellowish, or greyish to light-orange ventrally. The face is orange-pink. The male has a red penis with a black scrotum. Both sexes have over-sized stomachs that protrude and give the monkeys what resembles a pot belly. Many of the monkey’s toes are webbed
As a seasonal folivore and frugivore, the proboscis monkey eats primarily fruit and leaves. It also eats flowers seeds and insects to a lesser extent. At least 55 different plant species have been recorded used as food sources, with a marked preference for Eugenia sp., Ganua motleyana and Lophopetalum javanicum. Young leaves are preferred over mature leaves and unripe fruits are preferred over ripe fruit. Being a seasonal eater, the proboscis monkey eats mostly fruit from January to May and mostly leaves from June to December. Groups usually sleep in one or several trees that are nearby. In habitats near rivers, monkeys sleep near the river. Proboscis monkeys will start the day feeding and then move further inland. Proboscis monkeys spend most of the daily resting, traveling, feeding and keeping vigilant. Before dark, the monkeys move back near the river and feed again. Predators of the proboscis monkey include crocodiles, clouded leopards, eagles, monitor lizards and pythons. Monkeys will cross rivers at narrows or cross arboreally if possible. This may serve as predator avoidance
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