Proboscis monkeys, locally known as Nasalis larvatus, are Old World monkeys in the family Cercopithecidae. Some of their nearer kin are the baboon, the red colobus, and the macaque. They bear mainly a reddish-brown coloration, paired with a conspicuous, large nose and long tail. They can live in mangrove and swamp forests, ascend trees, or even swim across a river. The following is a list of 10 fascinating facts that may explain why proboscis monkeys are considered so special and unique.
1.These monkeys are endemic to the island of Borneo.
Proboscis monkeys generally inhabit savannas, lowland forests, mangroves, swamps, or river deltas. Due to there being mainly tree-dwelling, most prefer to reside in areas containing forests with an adequate supply of fresh water. They crawl on all their limbs while in the trees, and they are bound to cover a certain distance on the ground.
2.Proboscis monkeys: Where does the name come from?
Their large nose has to be described as their most conspicuous appendages, although the appendage depends on the sex and age of the specimen.
Between the sexes, the males are the ones that have the largest nose, which is attributed to the species. That is, the largest, a male’s nose can reach up to approximately 10 centimeters in length and go down to the region of the mouth. Meanwhile.
3.The Proboscis Monkey is among the biggest monkeys in Asia.
A large variety of primate sizes exists, ranging from the small pygmy marmoset to the large gorilla. Whenever people consider large primates, they generally have in mind hominids like orangutans, chimpanzees, or gorillas. Instead, proboscis monkeys should be considered for a place on the list of the largest monkeys.
In general, male specimens reach lengths that range from 26 to 30 inches, weighing correspondingly between 35 and 48 pounds. That being said, the biggest males can grow to up to 66 pounds. At the same time, females are considerably smaller, on average 21 to 24 inches long and ranging from 15 to 26 pounds.
4.Proboscis Monkeys Consume a Wide Range of Plants
They are mostly fruit and leaf eaters, being precise, frugivores and folivores. Just like many other mammals, they are willing to consume a variety of foods and occasionally will eat seeds or insects.
Overall, proboscis monkey price choose to eat unripe fruits and mature leaves. They consume different foods depending on the season, eating mainly fruit in the first part of the year and leaves in the second half. They have large bellies that stick out and are well-suited to help them break down their diet of mostly unripe fruit.
5.Proboscis Monkeys Are Very Effective Swimmers
Among our next set of proboscis monkey facts is one of the most astonishing discoveries. In thinking about monkeys, people generally don’t consider swimming. Instead, we lean towards envisioning monkeys climbing through trees or primates moving across grasslands or slopes. In contrast, proboscis monkeys illustrate they are one of the best swimmers among primates.
When it is necessary, proboscis monkey price can swim as far as 66 feet underwater. They often move across rivers, especially to travel between their feeding sites and their resting places. Also, they may sometimes leap from the branches of trees into the water below.
6.Proboscis Monkeys in some cases live alone, while others congregate in groups.
The inclination of many is to view monkeys as social beings living in large panels. Gorillas, chimps, and bamboos agree with this stereotype. Nonetheless, some disrupt this image, including orangutans, tarsiers, and lorises. In the meantime, proboscis monkeys exist in a delicate balance between being solitary and being social.
As a rule, proboscis monkeys live in groups made up of one alpha male, numerous females, and a variety of young of varying ages. At the same time, you will often find that groups consist exclusively of males. Finally, certain proboscis monkeys only live alone, notably males. As opposed to some primates, proboscis monkeys aren’t territorial, and groups of them are known to overlap regularly.
7.Proboscis monkeys share space with other monkeys.
We’ve discussed already that proboscis monkeys are less desirous of territory compared to many other primates. They typically congregate at communal sleeping locations and, on occasion, travel in the company of each other. They almost never compete with each other and aren’t reputed for strongly defending their territory. This general laissez-faire approach also extends to additional groups of proboscis monkeys, as well as other species.
Certainly, in particular geographic locations, proboscis monkeys are seen to coexist with other species like silvery lutungs. The monkeys will not just live in a community; they will occasionally procreate with each other and produce various hybrid offspring.
8.The typical lifespan of Proboscis monkeys usually extends to 20 years.
Usually, female proboscis monkeys give birth at night or in the morning. Dutiful mothers make up the core of their group and often share parenting jobs with other females there. For around the first six weeks, young proboscis monkeys mostly survive on milk, typically weaning at seven months old.
At about 4 or 5 years old, male proboscis monkeys reach sexual development, and females become sexually mature by the age of 4. Both genders live on average to ages of approximately 20 years old. Due to their growth rate, their life cycle simulates that of humans, as they spend about three-quarters of their lives as grown individuals.
9.Various Vocalizations are Produced by Proboscis monkeys.
Proboscis monkeys are popular among other primates for the diversity of their vocalizations, as other primates are. They produce several varied honks, calls, roars, and howls that are used to transmit different meanings.
Males frequently honk at each other to communicate their standing within a group. In the same way, they generate a special alarm call and make particular vocalizations while speaking to infants. Additionally, females produce particular calls when mad. Similar to verbal communication, proboscis monkeys also participate in nonverbal communication, such as exposing their teeth and shaking branches or bounding around.
10.The IUCN identifies Proboscis monkeys as endangered species.
Our last entry on the list of Proboscis monkey details is also the most dismal. Just like many primates, proboscis monkeys must confront several risks that threaten their protected status. To go along with natural predators like crocodiles, clouded leopards, and pythons, they are commonly hunted by people—both for their meat and to be utilized in traditional Chinese medicine.
Also, threatening proboscis monkeys is habitat destruction. With only one island home, their range is getting ever more constrained as a result of deforestation for farming. Scientific experts suggest that proboscis monkeys’ habitat has been reduced by upwards of 50% over the past 40 years. Because the IUCN lists proboscis monkeys as endangered.
