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Wildlife
Lowland
Rainforest Habitat I Wildlife
I Jungle
Trails I Activities
I Getting
there
Undoubtedly, the wildlife in Danum makes for a memorable experience.
Some of the rarest species in Borneo are found in this valley and
it is here that sightings of the clouded leopard or Sumatran rhino
have occurred.
For the nature lover, Danum Valley is a picture book of the exotic
and beautiful. Marvel at the distinctive features of the long nosed
Proboscis monkey and the membrane wings of the flying lemur; enjoy
the acrobatic antics of the graceful gibbons as they swing rapidly
among the trees, their whooping calls echoing through the dawn as
opposed to the reasonant groans of the male orangutans which filter
through the nightime.
Some Mammals found in Danum Valley
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Orang utan
Western tarsier
Flying lemur
Leopard cat
Yellow barking deer
Mousedeer
Sambar deer
Bearded pig
Malay civet
Long-tailed macaque
Slow loris
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- Clouded leopard
- Giant flying squirrel
- Lain pygmy squirrel
- Malayan sun bear
- Bateng
- Smooth otter
- Silvered langur
- Proboscis monkey
- Sumatran rhino
- Asian elephant
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Danum is also a bird watchers' paradise. The most recognizable
are the majestic hornbills with their long beaks, colourful plummage
and loud swooshing wingbeats. Some of Sabah's rarer residents such
as the Great Argus, Bulwar's Pheasant, the Bornean Bristlehead and
the Giant Pitta have also been sighted at Danum.
Some Birds found in Danum Valley
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Bay owl
Bill fletcher
Crested fireback pheasant
Great argus pheasant
Black-backed kingfisher
Lesser green leafbird
Bornean flycatcher
Blue-headed pitta
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Crimson sunbird
Asian fairy bluebird
Grey-breasted spiderhunter
Spectacled bulbul
Buffy fish owl
Helmeted & wreathed hornbill
Bushy-crested & pied hornbill
Rhinoceros
hornbill
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With every layer of forest providing shelter for Danum's birdlife,
visitors must sharpen their senses and be constantly on the look
out for elusive species by their calls, movements or markings. Patient
scrutiny is sure to be rewarded with a decent list of sightings.
Usually the sightings will intensify during the fruiting season
between July to August.
Although not everyone's favorite creatures, insects are one of
the Valley's most fascinating inhabitants. Danum supports thousands
of these little know but very important inhabitants of the tropical
rainforest. With only a few stinging bees and wasps, most of the
insect colony are harmless and deserve the attention given to their
larger counterparts. Take time to find butterflies like the Chocolate
Soldier, look closely for the cleverly camouflaged Spiny Stick Insect
which appears at first glance to be a twig; and listen to the song
of the cicadas as they add their chirping to the natural music of
Danum.
Unlike the African savannah, wildlife in the lowland rainforests
of Borneo is not always easy to sight. To spot nocturnal creatures
like the leopard cat or clouded leopard who only wake and hunt for
food in the dark, one must be prepared to forego sleep and spend
many hours waiting and watching patiently.
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