Bekantan (Nasalis larvatus)
Bekantan (Nasalis larvatus)
Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) or Proboscis monkey are endemic species that inhabit mangroves on the island of Borneo (Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei). In Kalimantan, Bekantan is also known as the Dutch Monkey, Pika, Bahara Bentangan, Raseng and Kahau (Supriatna et al. 2000). Based on phylogenetic, proboscis monkey belongs to the family: Cercopithecidae; genus: Nasalis; species: Nasalis larvatus (Wurmb 1787). At present, there are two subspecies of Nasalis larvatus, namely: Nasalis larvatus larvatus and Nasalis larvatus orientalis.
Morphology and Behavior
Proboscis is characterized by its unique nose shape, making it easily known among other primates. His nose is long, with the face not covered by hair. The length of the proboscis tail is almost the same as the length of its body, which is around 559-762 mm. The color of the hair on his body varies, the dorsal part is reddish brown, while the ventral and limbs are grayish white. The size of the nose in adult males is greater than that of females, as well as their body size. Body weight Male proboscis monkey is about 16-22 kg, while female body weight is around 7-12 kg.
Proboscis monkeys are arboreal animals (live in trees), but sometimes descend to the forest floor for certain reasons. Movement from branch to branch is done in various ways, for example by jumping, hanging, or moving with the four limbs. In addition, proboscis monkey is also a great swimmer because on the soles of his feet and hands has a skin membrane (web) as in frogs, making it easier for Proboscis monkeys to cross the river.
Proboscis monkeys are diurnal primates, namely activities carried out from morning to evening. Towards the afternoon, Proboscis monkeys will generally look for trees to sleep around the banks of the river. Group members will join in one tree or another tree that is adjacent. Proboscis monkeys don’t make nests to sleep.
Proboscis monkeys consume almost all parts of the plant with a composition, which is more than 50% of young leaves, about 40% of the fruit and the rest are flowers and seeds. In addition to consuming food sources from plants, proboscis monkeys often consume several types of insects. During low tide, proboscis monkeys often go down to the ground to look for soil insects.
Proboscis Colony (Nasalis larvatus)
Conservation Distribution and Status
Proboscis is widespread in the forests around the estuary or the banks of rivers in Kalimantan. In South Kalimantan, proboscis monkeys can be found in swamp forest areas or estuaries and on the banks of the river Kaget and Pulau Laut. In West Kalimantan, these animals occupy mangrove areas within the Gunung Palung National Park area, while in Central Kalimantan it is easily found in Tanjung Puting National Park, or around the Mahakam River. In addition, proboscis monkeys are also found in Kutai National Park and peat swamp forests and mangrove forests on the coast of East Kalimantan.
Based on the IUCN Redlist (the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources), Proboscis is included in the Genting (Endangered) category. Proboscis monkeys also include primates listed in Appendix I of CITES, which means they cannot be traded.
Threat
The main threat to the preservation of proboscis monkeys is habitat destruction and illegal hunting. Forest conversion and illegal logging and forest fires also have an effect on decreasing Proboscis populations in Kalimantan. Therefore, clear regulations and strict actions from the government are needed for illegal poachers and forest destroyers.
Editor: Dyah Setyawaty
Photo: Dyah Setyawaty
Referensi:
http://www.theprimata.com/nasalis_larvatus.html
Meijaard E, Nijman V dan Supriatna J. 2008. Nasalis larvatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008:e.T14352A4434312.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14352A4434312.en. Downloaded on 07 February 2017.
Supriatna J dan Edy H W. 2000. Panduan Lapangan Primata Indonesia. Yayasan Obor Indonesia, Jakarta. ISBN 979-461-355-X
