Proboscis Monkey Facts

The proboscis monkey  or long-nosed monkey, known as the bekantan in Malay. The proboscis monkey is found only on the island of Borneo and can be found all three nations that divide the island: Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Predators of the proboscis monkey include crocodiles, clouded leopards, eagles, monitor lizards and pythons. Proboscis monkeys are most commonly found inhabiting mangrove swamps and will wade through shallow water and can swim when the water gets too deep. 

The only fruit proboscis monkeys will eat is unripe fruit. The sugars in ripe fruits can ferment in their stomachs and cause fatal bloating. Adult males have much larger nose than the female, the monkeys’ nose will swell and turns red when the monkey is excited or angry. Proboscis monkeys are also known as the “Dutchman Monkey.The male vocalises through the nose with a kee honk sound.

The Proboscis monkey is assessed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List.