Wildlife of Malaysia - Terrestrial Fauna

Terrestrial Fauna

Malaysia is estimated to contain 20% of the world's animal species, and includes some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet.

There are about 210 mammal species in Malaysia. Peninsular Malaysia holds three big cats: the Indochinese tiger the leopard and also the clouded leopard. Another major predator is the sunbear. Large prey exists, such as the Sumatran rhinoceros, the Malayan tapir, Mouse deer, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer, Wild boar, and Bornean bearded pigs. Gaurs and Asian elephants can also be found. Lowland animals such as these also can be found at higher altitudes, along with animals specialized for mountain living, such as Siamang gibbons, Red squirrels, and Lesser Moon Rats. East Malaysia lacks the tigers of the peninsular, leaving clouded leopards, sunbears, and Sunda otter civets as the primary predators. Rhinoceroses and elephants are also found there, along with Bornean orangutans, Mueller's gibbons, macaques, Proboscis monkeys, Silvered leaf monkeys, langurs, and slow lorises. High levels of endemism are found on the diverse forests of Borneo's mountains, as species are isolated from each other by lowland forest. Kinabalu ferret-badgers, Kinabalu black shrews, Hose's palm civets, and Brooke's tree squirrels are all endemic to the mountains. Other small mammals include mongooses and giant rats. 11,300 orangutans are found in East Malaysia. Other ape species include the white-handed gibbon and the siamang. Malaysia has 10 monkey species, divided between langurs and macaques. Proboscis Monkeys, the world's largest monkey, are a langur species endemic to Borneo. Macaque species include the crab-eating Macaque and the pig-tailed Macaque. The Malayan tiger, a subspecies of the Indochinese tiger, is endemic to the Malay peninsula with a remaining population of about 500. Small cats such as the bay cat and various civet cats are also found. 1200 Asian Elephants exist on the Peninsular, with another population existing in East Malaysia. The world's largest cattle species, the seladang, is found in Malaysia. Fruit bats are also found throughout the country, with a high concentration in the Mulu Caves.

Over 620 species of birds have been recorded just on the Peninsular. Many are endemic to the mountains of the peninsular, such as the Crested Argus. Bornean forests show high levels of endemism among bird species, with 38 species found nowhere else. Black-browed Babblers and White-crowned Shamas found only in these forests. Large numbers of Hornbills, Woodpeckers, and Pittas such as the Mangrove Pitta are also present. Other species are found isolated on mountains, such as Golden-naped Barbets, Spot-necked Bulbuls, and Mountain Serpent-eagles. Bulbuls, starlings, and house swifts can be found in urban areas. Crested Serpent-eagles and Kingfishers can be found. There are nine species of Hornbill in Malaysia, the most common of which is the Pied hornbill. At 1.5 metres (5 ft) from head to tail is the largest hornbill, the Great hornbill, followed closely in size by the Rhinoceros Hornbill of Borneo. The Fish eagle and Brahminy kite are the most common birds of prey. Storm's Stork and the Oriental darter can be found in wetlands.

250 reptile species have been recorded, with about 150 species of snakes and 80 species of lizards. Only 16 of the land snakes are venomous. Notable among these are the Malayan pit viper, King Cobras, Dumeril's monitors, Malay Water Monitors, and Estuarine Crocodiles. The King Cobra is the deadliest snake found, but it is rarely encountered. The reticulated python is said to grow up to 10 metres (33 ft) in length. Monitor lizards, almost 2 metres (7 ft) in length, are found in both halves of the country. Other snake species include the Paradise tree snake and Wagler's pit viper. Estuarine Crocodiles can grow up to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) in length. Its smaller relative, the Malayan false gharial, can also be found. Flying lizards can also be found. There are about 150 species of frog in Malaysia. Freshwater fish include the rare Asian arawana, along with marbled gobys, harlequins, and tiger barbs.

Malaysia has thousands of insect species, with more being discovered every year. Butterfly species include the Rajah Brooke Birdwing, while moth species include the Atlas moth. The largest beetle found is the Rhinoceros beetle. Other large insects include the Giant stick insect, which can grow as long as a human forearm, the Empress cicada, with a wingspan of 30 centimetres (12 in), and the 4 centimetres (2 in) long Giant ant. Other insects include Banded hornets, Fire ants, Giant honey bees, and Weaver ants. Many scorpions can also be found.