Why do male proboscis monkeys have such large noses?

A male's large nose amplifies his vocal calls and is thought to signal dominance and attractiveness to females, functioning as a product of sexual selection.

Can proboscis monkeys swim?

Yes, remarkably well. They can leap from trees over 15 meters high into rivers and swim underwater for distances of up to about 20 meters.

Is the proboscis monkey endangered?

Yes. The IUCN lists it as Endangered, with the population having declined by more than 50% over the past 36 to 40 years due to habitat loss and hunting.

Proboscis Monkeyテングザル

Nasalis larvatusEN— Endangered

The proboscis monkey is a large, striking primate endemic to Borneo, best known for the male's oversized pendulous nose, which amplifies his calls and signals status to rivals and mates. It lives in coastal and riverine forests, including mangroves, and is an exceptionally strong swimmer, capable of diving from tall trees and swimming underwater to escape danger or cross rivers. Habitat loss has driven a population decline of more than 50% in recent decades, and the IUCN lists it as Endangered.

Proboscis Monkey (reference photo) — Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Primates / Cercopithecidae Source
Distribution: Endemic to Borneo, found in coastal and riverine forests, including mangroves, across Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. Source

Did You Know?

A male's oversized nose can exceed 10 cm and is thought to amplify his calls, playing a role in sexual selection. Source
When startled, it can leap from trees as high as 15 meters into the water below and has been recorded swimming as far as 20 meters underwater — among the most aquatic of all primates. Source
Observations in Malaysia recorded the first known instance in a wild primate of regurgitation-and-rechewing behavior similar to rumination. Source

Where to See This Species

2 facilities · 0 individuals

横浜市立よこはま動物園 (Yokohama Shiritsu Yokohama Doubutsuen)KanagawaOpened in 1999

横浜市立よこはま動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

東京都恩賜上野動物園 (Toukyoutoonshiueno Doubutsuen)TokyoOpened in 1882

東京都恩賜上野動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではEN。河畔林やマングローブを含む低地の森林を守る必要があります。

Habitat

ボルネオ島のマングローブ、河畔林、湿地林。

Threats

森林伐採
農地開発
生息地の分断

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

湿地・河畔林の保全
保護地域での個体群管理

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Why do male proboscis monkeys have such large noses?: A male's large nose amplifies his vocal calls and is thought to signal dominance and attractiveness to females, functioning as a product of sexual selection. Source
Can proboscis monkeys swim?: Yes, remarkably well. They can leap from trees over 15 meters high into rivers and swim underwater for distances of up to about 20 meters. Source
Is the proboscis monkey endangered?: Yes. The IUCN lists it as Endangered, with the population having declined by more than 50% over the past 36 to 40 years due to habitat loss and hunting. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org