Species profile

Name: the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is a monkey with an unusually large nose.

Appearance: proboscis monkeys are easily recognised by their long, drooping noses. Their fur is reddish brown and they have long tails. They also have bulging stomachs which can look like pot bellies.

Size: they are large monkeys reaching up to 75 cm long and weighing up to 30 kg. This makes them the second largest monkey in Asia, after the Tibetan macaque.

Diet: proboscis monkeys usually eat fruit and leaves, with the occasional flowers, seeds, and insects.

Did you know: scientists have researched the unusual nose of the proboscis monkey for years. Theory suggests that females choose to mate with the males that make the loudest honking calls, and the larger the nose, the bigger the honk. Males use these calls to alert the group to danger so it’s important for the group’s survival to have an easily heard alarm.

Location: proboscis monkeys are endemic to Borneo, and can mainly be found in riverine and mangrove forests.

Where to see proboscis monkey

According to reports submitted to WildSide, you can see proboscis monkeys in the following places:

Photo credit: a_m_o_u_t_o_n under a Creative Commons license from Pixabay