The Southeast Asian countries of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia lie within one of the most biologically rich regions on Earth, Glaciers, extensive swamps, savanna, grassy plains, tall mountains and many different types of forest cover this remarkable area. Tropical forests are the dominant natural vegetation and each forest type has its own characteristic species. As a group, these forests are known to harbor one of the most diverse assemblages of wildlife in the world.

      Three well-defined zoogeographical realms lie within Southeast Asia: the Oriental region (which extends from Pakistan across southern China, Taiwan, the Philippines and into Indonesia); the Australasian region (reaching from the island of New Guinea, south-east across Australia including New Zealand); and a transitional subregion, known as "Wallacea," located between the two realms (covering central Indonesia). The animals found in the Oriental region are strikingly different from those in the Australasian region, by virtue of the very different geological histories of these regions.

      An incredible variety of wildlife occurs in Southeast Asia—altogether about 550 species of mammals, over 500 species of reptiles and over 500 species of amphibians. Some animals, such as bats and geckos, are widespread throughout the region and are easy to find. Other widespread species such as jungle cats, otters and blind snakes can be sighted only with luck and diligence. A few species may be observed only in a single national park which encompasses almost their entire range. Of these, the Komodo dragon is very easy to watch, while it is extremely difficult to catch even a fleeting glimpse of the Javan rhinoceros. Other species with relatively small ranges, such as the anoa, Bawean deer and false ghavial are perhaps best seen in zoos.

      The remote areas of Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly accessible as more national parks are developed, and road and air links to them are improved. These national parks, many with excellent interpretive centers, are fostering an increasing awareness and appreciation of the region's unique wildlife. Many species are in danger of extinction through the relentless destruction of forest habitats by logging and land clearance for agricultural and plantation purposes. Land clearance is often facilitated by widespread, damaging fires.

      This Periplus Nature Guide covers mammals, reptiles and amphibians and offers an excellent introduction to a wide variety of Southeast Asia's common, well-known species, as well as some of the more extraordinary animals that have evolved in restricted habitats. The region's birdlife, reef fishes and invertebrate marine species are covered in separate volumes in this series.

      —Jane Whitten

      Orangutans

      These large, red, long-haired apes are found in the forests of lowland North Sumatra and Borneo. The impressive adult male, with cheek flanges of fibrous tissue accentuating his face, can weigh up to 90 kg. Females are smaller, weighing only 40-50 kg.

      These diurnal apes spend most of their time in the trees. They live on fruit, some of which is poisonous to humans, supplemented by leaves and shoots, but will also eat eggs and small animals. Their detailed knowledge of the forest enables them to search very efficiently for fruiting trees. Orangutans travel by holding on with their hook-like hands and feel, using their weight to swing trees back and forth to narrow a gap so that they can reach the next tree. Travel is cumbersome, and they go only a few hundred meters each day, fashioning branches into a treetop nest at dusk. Older, heavier males may resort to traveling on the ground, giving rise to stories of wild forest men.

      Orangutans are largely solitary, although young animals sometimes play together. Females mature at ten years and may have three or four offspring during their lifetimes, weaning them at about three years. Juveniles finally leave their mothers at 7-10 years of age. Adult males defend those females within their range from other males, advertising their presence by calling, displaying aggressively when they meet and occasionally even fighting.

      These animals are extremely strong and able to crack hard forest fruits easily, but are also dexterous and very curious. A camera inadvertently left behind, which caught the attention of wild orangutans, was later found totally dismantled. Nothing was broken.

      Orangutans are threatened by habitat loss and hunting, as females are sometimes killed to obtain infants for the pet trade. However, large reserves in Indonesia and Malaysia contain good populations of orangutans, and a prolonged campaign of public education has lessened the pet trade.

      Orangutan, Pongo pygmaeus

      Gibbons

      There are nine species of gibbon in the forests of Southeast Asia. Eight of these species weigh around 6 kg, and the larger siamang weighs about 10 kg. The smaller species arc geographically separated by seas and rivers, but the siamangs overlap with them in the forests of Peninsular Malaysia and North Sumatra. Gibbons are uniquely adapted to life in the forest canopy and are almost never found on the ground. They travel quickly and efficiently by swinging from branch to branch, often leaping between supports. The siamang's diet consists almost equally of fruit and leaves, while the smaller gibbons eat mainly fruit, which they pick carefully, leaving unripe fruit to ripen. They also eat leaves, shoots and insects.

      Gibbons live in monogamous families into which a single offspring is born every two or three years.

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