Chien C. Lee

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Borneo 844 images Created 10 Jun 2016

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  • Mutualisms between ants and treehoppers are so effective that sometimes multiple species can occur together on the same plant without conflicts. Here, a Myrmecaria ant worker tends to a short-horned Tricentrus sp., while an extravagantly adorned Pyrgauchenia biuni feeds nearby. Both of these treehoppers feed on the plant phloem, tapping into the stem with their proboscis, and secrete excess sugary fluid which the ants gather. In return the ants not only fiercely protect the treehoppers from predators, but sometimes also assist in distributing the young hoppers to suitable branches on the host stem. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • There is a magic moment that exists between the end of day and the fall of night - in the Bornean rainforest this is signaled by the wailing of cicadas, with the deepening darkness abruptly revealing many things that were unseen in the light. Here, a cluster of Luminous Porecaps (Favolaschia manipularis) begin to show their innate greenish glow at dusk. It is believed that this bioluminescence plays a role in spore dispersal: in the still air of the rainforest understory these mushrooms gain and advantage by having wood-feeding insects (which are attracted to their light) carry the spore to new locations. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The nocturnal blossoms of a wild durian (Durio kutejensis) are visited by a Cave Nectar Bat (Eonycteris spelaea). Although also attracting bees, birds, and other small pollinators during the day, the flowers of this tree open fully at dusk whereupon they begin to produce copious amounts of rich mango-scented nectar – an enticing draw for a bat with a keen sense of smell and an irresistible sweet tooth. With their ability to travel great distances and visit countless flowers in a single night, nectar-feeding bats play a vital role in the pollination of many rainforest plants. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Black-throated Lichen Spider (Pandercetes nigrogularis), female guarding egg sac on suspended dead leaf. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • In the Borneo rainforest, a leaf isn't always what it seems. Many tropical trees and shrubs have pale or reddish young leaves as part of a strategy to deter herbivory: the absence of green chlorophyll reduces their nutritive value. Here, an orange morph leaf-legged katydid (Eulophophyllum lobulatum) mimics this exact foliage type. This insect  has been found to have a variety of colorations ranging from green to yellow and red, an adaptation that probably makes it more difficult for their predators to learn a fixed search image for any particular color. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Still wet from a passing rainstorm, a Sabah Bamboo Pitviper (Trimeresurus sabahi) lies in ambush on the side of a tree, waiting for the approach of suitable prey. By maintaining a low metabolism and sometimes remaining in a single position for weeks at a time, tropical vipers such as this can survive by feeding as infrequently as once every few months. Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Sunrise and mist over virgin rainforest in northern Borneo. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia.
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  • Dense mist often cloaks Borneo's rainforest at dawn, this being the water vapor rising from the transpiration of the forest itself. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A twisted liana winds its way into the canopy among the virgin rainforest of Tawau Hills National Park in northern Borneo. Home to some of the tallest tropical trees in the world, the forests in these hills is inhabited by a rich diversity of wildlife. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • In the Borneo rainforest, leaves are not always what they seem. Here, a beam of sunlight filtering down from the canopy illuminates an extraordinary insect. Officially described and named just last year, this leaf katydid (Eulophophyllum lobulatum) is one of two species in its genus on mainland Borneo that share the unusual wings and leaf-like legs, rendering it a marvel of animal crypsis. Although this male specimen is lime-green, females bear a striking pinkish coloration. Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Near the summit of Gunung Murud (Sarawak's highest mountain), an newly described species of tiny bush frog (Philautus nepenthophilus) hides within the fluid of a carnivorous pitcher plant (Nepenthes mollis), apparently unaffected by the plant's digestive juices therein. Phytotelmata (water bodies held by plants) provide living quarters and breeding grounds for many unique creatures which are completely dependent on them. Pulong Tau National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A Harlequin Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus pardalis) struggles futilely as it is being slowly swallowed alive by a Black-Headed Cat Snake (Boiga nigriceps). Stagnant pools of water in the Borneo rainforest serve as important breeding grounds for many tree frogs which gather around in great numbers, a fact that some predators wisely take advantage of. Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus brachyotis) swoops in to select a ripe fig (Ficus fistulosa) growing directly on the trunk of the tree. Rather than eating on the spot, the bat will carry the fig off to a favorite perch where it can dine in safety, thus helping to spread the tree's seeds. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Newly hatched Red Stink Bugs (Pycanum alternatum) cluster together to amplify the effect of their aposematic warning coloration. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A male Whitehead's Broadbill (Calyptomena whiteheadi) returns to its nest where it passes food to the hungry chick. Both male and female care for the nestlings, providing insects and fruit, as well as removing fecal pellets. This scarcely-seen species is the largest of all the green broadbills (reaching 27cm in length) and is endemic to the montane forests of Borneo. Sabah, Malaysia.
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  • The bizarre bloom of a Rhizanthes (R. lowii) unfurls its odorous and sinister-looking petals. A member of the Rafflesia family, this rare plant is also completely parasitic, living within its host vine and possessing no leaves, stems, or roots of its own. Like the more well-known Rafflesia, the flowers mimic a rotting animal carcass to attract carrion flies as pollinators. Measuring perhaps 30cm across, the bloom is only open for a few days before dying. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A lone emergent Tapang (Koompassia excelsa) tree towers above the mist-shrouded canopy of the Borneo rainforest to catch the morning sun. This is one of the tallest tropical tree species with recorded heights of over 85 meters. Sabah, Malaysia.
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  • The luminescent nature of a cluster of seemingly ordinary mushrooms (Favolaschia manipularis) becomes revealed in the darkening dusk of the Borneo rainforest. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Wallace's Flying Frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus) is one of the largest of all tree frogs in Borneo. It is capable of gliding down from the forest canopy by using its enlarged webbed feet as parachutes. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A Hardwicke's Woolly Bat (Kerivoula hardwickii returns to its roost in a pitcher of Nepenthes hemsleyana. This recently discovered mutualism benefits both parties. The bats obtain a secure shelter safe from predators and rain, and the plants derive a significant portion of their nitrogen from the bat's droppings. Belait, Brunei Darussalam (Borneo).
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  • Rather than being carnivorous, this unusual pitcher plant (Nepenthes lowii) derives its nutrition from the droppings of the Mountain Treeshrew (Tupaia montana). The animals are attracted to the plant's copious nectar secretions, and inevitably leave their scat in the pitchers which are designed like a natural toilet receptacle. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Blue-banded Pitta (Erythropitta arquata). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Ant-hunting spider (Mallinella sp.) predating a Giant Forest Ant (Dinomyrmex gigas ssp. borneensis), which it also mimics. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Rough Horned Frog (Pelobatrachus edwardinae), male. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Banded Malaysian Coralsnake (Calliophis intestinalis). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • It can be argued that the perfection of camouflage is largely driven by the acuity of a predator’s vision. In many insects, such as among the great diversity of stick insects (phasmids), this selective pressure probably derives from the keen eyesight of insectivorous birds. Here, a female phasmid (Hermagoras sigillatus) from the Bornean rainforest performs a remarkable crypsis by folding her front legs forward, their expanded flanges matching together to form the resemblance of a decaying twig. This disguise not only breaks up the outline of her head (at bottom in this photo), but also conceals her antennae which otherwise could give away her disguise. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Translucent katydid (Lacipoda immunda), male concealing itself on the undersurface of a leaf. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Luminous Porecap (Favolaschia manipularis), releasing spores. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Hieroglyph Fairy Lynx Spider (Hamadruas hierglyphica), female guarding newly hatched spiderlings on a suspended leaf. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Brush-footed Trapdoor Spider (Rhianodes atratus), female. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Black Rose (Pachliopta antiphus), female freshly emerged from chrysalis before taking flight. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Mangrove Jewel Bug (Calliphara nobilis). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Sumatran Flying Dragon (Draco sumatranus), male performing territorial display. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A Horsfield's Tarsier (Cephalopachus bancanus) on the prowl for food in the rainforest of western Borneo. These tiny primates are exclusively carnivorous, hunting insects, small lizards, and even snakes by leaping deftly through the thick forest understory and snatching prey with their long nimble fingers. Unlike most other nocturnal mammals which possess a reflective layer behind their retina to help with night vision, tarsiers instead compensate by having enormous eyes. In fact, this species sports the largest eyes in relation to its body size of any mammal in the world - these are locked in place and the animal is only able to shift its vision by rotating its head. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • As some of the most vital sensory organs among insects, it's no wonder that antennae come in a great variety of shapes and sizes to suit their various specializations. Here, a male Callirhipid beetle displays his extravagant feelers which are over half the length of his body. Like the feathery antennae of some male moths, this shape is designed to maximize the surface area to enable detection of even the faintest pheromones of distant females. However, unlike moths, these 'flabellate' (fan-like) antennae can be neatly folded away for protection when they're not needed, such as when the beetle is burrowing under bark or in rotten wood. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A miniature narrow-mouthed frog (Microhyla cf. borneensis) seeks the moist shelter within a carnivorous plant (Nepenthes bicalcarata) resting on the Borneo rainforest floor. Normally a deadly pitfall trap, this plant's pitcher has been chewed open on the side by a small mammal, probably in an attempt to feed on the trapped insects (or fluids) inside. Several species of Nepenthes such as this are used as tadpole nurseries for certain frogs, some of which will breed nowhere else. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Pitcher plant (Nepenthes campanulata), a limestone lithophytic carnivorous plant, here growing on a cliff 250m above the rainforest canopy. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Leaf-legged Katydid (Eulophophyllum lobulatum), female. Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • World within: the watery chamber of a carnivorous pitcher plant (Nepenthes ampullaria) hosts a myriad of tiny specialized creatures. An amplexing pair of the Matang Narrow-mouthed Frog (Microhyla nepenthicola), one of the world’s smallest amphibians, has visited the plant to deposit their eggs – they will breed nowhere else. They are flanked by a developing tadpole and the pupa of a predatory Elephant Mosquito (Toxorhynchites sp.). The plant benefits from everything entering the pitcher: detritus falling from the canopy above, insect prey that are drowned inside, or small visiting organisms like these that may help to break down the contents and leave their waste behind. Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A Maroon Langur (Presbytis rubicunda) pauses for a break while munching on his chosen leaf. Endemic to Borneo and a few offshore islands, these leaf monkeys feed on a wide range of foliage and unripe fruits, traveling in groups of up to a dozen individuals. One theory regarding their distinctive bright orange coloration is that this may help to confuse some predators into mistaking them for a much larger and stronger Orangutan, and thus deter attacks. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Like other small animals of the forest understory, this Borneo Forest Dragon (Gonocephalus bornensis) must juggle his attention between searching for prey (insects and spiders) while keeping a watchful eye out for larger predators. Although this species is unable to glide like the closely-related Dracos, it is nevertheless an agile climber and can move swiftly up and down trees. The impressive mane on the back of this male signifies his maturity - we will readily defend his territory against rival males. Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Sticky frog (Kalophrynus meizon). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • With its gaudy appearance and bold stance on top of a leaf, one might think that this tiny metalmark moth (Brenthia sp.) would make easy prey for a small predator like a jumping spider. However, if you blur your eyes just a little, you might be able to see why jumping spiders hesitate before attacking these moths: their wing patterns look remarkably similar to another jumping spider. Note particularly the “fuzzy legs” (dark bands) held to the side and the eyespots with reflections at the top. Jumping spiders may not have as acute eyesight as we do, but they are nevertheless visually-oriented predators, and they also avoid risky conflicts with others of their kind. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Sunrise and mist over virgin rainforest in northern Borneo. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia.
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  • Dung beetle (Proagoderus watanabei), male feeding on herbivore scat. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A pair of the largest dung beetles in Borneo (Catharsius dayacus) clean up after the droppings of a Sambar Deer in the rainforest of Danum Valley, Sabah. Although this species does not roll balls like its more well-known relatives, it nevertheless is responsible for burying large amounts of animal scat and provides a vital ecological service. Nearly a hundred species of dung beetles have been recorded from Danum alone; studies have shown that their diversity not only directly reflects the wide assortment of vertebrates in an area but also can serve as a valuable indicator of habitat heterogeneity and forest disturbance. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Monsters do exist - at least in the Borneo rainforest. Another of the island's amazing katydids, this is the Malaysian Giant Katydid (Arachnacris tenuipes), one of the world's largest insects (measuring 15cm in length without the wings open). Despite their alarming size they are rather gentle herbivores, that is unless you make the mistake of trying to grab one with your bare hands. Kicking with their powerful spiny hind legs they can inflict some serious pain, but at least they usually warn predators first by emitting very loud raspy clicks with their wings. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Unseen since its original discovery in 1866 by Odoardo Beccarii, the elusive Thismia neptunis was found again in western Borneo in 2018. Like other mycoheterotrophic plants, it is unable to photosynthesize and derives its sustenance entirely from subterranean fungi. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • One of the world’s least studied crocodilians, the False Gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) is a rare inhabitant of the dark tannin colored waters of peat swamps in Borneo, Sumatra, and Malaysia. Due to their narrow snout they were once believed to feed exclusively on fish, however large specimens can reach lengths of over 5 meters and have more recently been observed to consume prey as large as Proboscis Monkeys, or in one unfortunate instance, a grown man. Although much remains unknown about their life history, it is clear that they are rapidly becoming endangered due to destruction of their peat swamp habitats. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Undoubtedly one of the rarest and most peculiar of all Borneo's reptiles: the Bornean Horned Lizard (Harpesaurus borneensis). The males of this species are unique in possessing a distinctive horn at the tip of their snout, a trait not seen in the females nor found in any other Bornean lizard. Even more unusual, this is the only known agamid lizard in Southeast Asia to give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. As only a few specimens of this species have ever been found, its full life history and distribution in Borneo are still largely unknown. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Northeast Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio), adult male. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Orchid (Bulbophyllum canisopterum). East Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
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  • Helmet Orchid (Corybas pictus). East Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
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  • Nepenthes ephippiata, a dung-eating pitcher plant endemic to Borneo. Esat Kalimantan, Indonesia.
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  • Some of the most recognizable of all insects, ladybird beetles are brightly colored to warn predators of the potent alkaloids present in their blood, making them not only foul-smelling but also quite toxic. In a classic case of mimicry, this tiny spider (Paraplectana sp. - probably an undescribed species), carries out a convincing masquerade by means of its similar coloration and bulbous domed abdomen. East Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
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  • Asian Brown Tortoise (Manouria emys), male. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Borneo Horned Frog (Pelobatrachus nasutus), female, with Matang Narrow-mouthed Frog (Microhyla nepenthicola) - comparison between one of the largest and smallest frogs in Borneo. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The rare Bornean Lungless Frog (Barbourula kalimantanensis) is fully aquatic and lives only in cool, clear, fast-flowing rocky streams. West Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
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  • Birupes simoroxigorum, a newly described burrowing tarantula from northwestern Borneo. The metallic blue legs are only found in the female. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A young Sunda Colugo (Galeopterus variegatus) peers out from the embrace of its mother's membranous wings. When fully grown it will be able to glide great distances from tree to tree in their nightly search for edible leaves, flowers, and sap. Also known as Flying Lemurs, they bear no relation to true lemurs, and in fact are so unique that they have been placed in their own mammalian order. Bako National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bagworm caterpillars (moths of the family Psychidae) are known for their habit of hiding themselves in a portable shelter of plant materials that they secure with silken threads, with each species having its own preference of design. This species begins with small accurately trimmed twigs formed in a 3-sided spiral pyramid, and adds additional larger twigs at the end as the caterpillar grows in size, in a masterful example of miniature craftsmanship. East Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
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  • A large male Bornean Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi) is caught on camera trap as he patrols his territory in the rainforest of Danum Valley, Sabah. Borneo's largest cat species, the clouded leopard preys on a variety of smaller wildlife ranging from deer and wild boar to monkeys. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Within the microcosm of a mossy tree stump, a tiny hidden predator lies patiently in wait. Still a juvenile, this praying mantis (Haania sp.) will eventually mature and shed most of its moss-like camouflage in favor of fully developed wings. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Without a single sighting in nearly 90 years, the Borneo Rainbow Toad (Ansonia latidisca) was considered possibly extinct and listed by Conservation International as one of the "10 Most Wanted Amphibians". The species was rediscovered in 2011 by a team of herpetologists from the University of Malaysia Sarawak, although it remains extremely rare and little is known of its ecology or behavior. This brings a glimmer of hope in a time of global mass amphibian extinctions. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Giant ladybird beetle (Synonycha grandis). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bornean rainforest trees generally have relatively shallow root systems because moisture is abundant and nutrients are most available near the surface of the soil. Reinforcement of tree's stability is provided in some species by conspicuous root buttresses. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A Giant Forest Ant (Dinomyrmex gigas) receives a droplet of sweet honeydew from the abdomen of a juvenile leaf-footed bug (Notobitus sp.). The bugs, which obtain more sugar than they need from the plant juices they feed on, are fiercely guarded by the ants in return. Mutually beneficial trophobiotic relationships such as this are very advantageous in the competitive ecosystem of the rainforest. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A view of a hanging Trefoil Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus trifoliatus) from below reveals its remarkable face. The elaborate noseleaves help the bat to focus its echolocation calls, with the various parts shaped for different frequencies. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • After quickly selecting a ripe fig (Ficus fistulosa), a Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus brachyotis) makes off with her prize to dine some distance away at a safe perch, thereby helping to disperse the tree's seeds that will ultimately lead to fruit for her future generations. Figs reach their pinnacle of diversity in Borneo with at least 150 species and, perhaps more than any other group of plants, are considered keystone species of the rainforest because of the complex interdependences they exhibit with countless animals and insects. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Despoina spinosa, male, on leaves of Ficus sp. This katydid (family Tettigoniidae) sleeps by day on the undersurface of a large fig leaf, using its perfectly camouflaged semi-translucent wings to conceal itself from predators. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Just a few millimeters in length, a tiny froglet (Microhyla nepenthicola) makes its first climb out of the watery chamber of the pitcher plant in which it was born. This species is exclusively reliant on pitcher plants for depositing their eggs. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Like all cobras, this juvenile Equatorial Spitting Cobra (Naja sumatrana), also called the Black Spitting Cobra and Sumatran Spitting Cobra, inflates its hood when approached by a potential threat. As an additional defense this species is also capable of spitting venom at distances of up to 1 meter, which is typically aimed with great accuracy at the eyes of its adversary. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The Maroon Langur (Presbytis rubicunda), also known as the Red Leaf Monkey, is endemic to Borneo and nearby Karimata Island, with several subspecies occurring throughout its range. Like other leaf monkeys they are almost completely arboreal and feed on foliage, seeds, and some fruits. Sabah, Malaysia.
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  • You might think that an animal with an excessively long neck would be predisposed to unfortunate injuries, but such eccentricities in body form can become justified in the competitive arena of sexual selection. This tiny Bornean weevil (Cycnotrachelus satelles), closely related to the famous Giraffe Weevil of Madagascar, uses his lengthy neck in wrestling matches to dislodge rival males off their food plants during mating season. Having intimidating physical attributes can sometimes mean combat is not even necessary: males have been observed facing off, nodding their heads (the necks are hinged in the middle) before one makes a retreat. The females, which are not thus pressured by competition, have much shorter necks. Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The small and nocturnal Sunda Stink-badger (Mydaus javanensis lucifer) is a relative of the skunks (family Mephitidae) occurring in Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. It feeds on invertebrates and small animals as well as tuberous roots. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A pre-dawn light casts a blue glow over rising mist in Sabah's Danum Valley Conservation Area, northern Borneo. Sabah, Malaysia.
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  • A shy bird of the rainforest floor, the beautiful Blue-headed Pitta (Hydrornis baudii) is endemic to Borneo. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia.
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  • Draco cornutus, in flight. Flying lizards of the genus Draco are superbly adapted for their arboreal lifestyle. They are capable of gliding from tree to tree on wing-like flaps of skin supported by their movable ribs. They feed primarily on ants. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Nectar-feeding bats play an essential role in the pollination of many rainforest trees. Here, a Long-tongued Nectar Bat (Macroglossus minimus) arrives at the night-blooming blossoms of a durian tree (Durio zibethinus). Prized for its delectable aromatic fruit, the productivity of many durian plantations is under threat where the native bat populations have been killed off by hunters. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Endemic to northern Borneo, the Black-and-crimson Pitta (Pitta ussheri) is a shy forest bird which feeds on worms and other terrestrial invertebrates. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The bizarre and rare Bornean Bristlehead (Pityriasis gymnocephala) is one of the most enigmatic birds of Borneo and is highly sought after by birdwatchers. It is the only member of its family and its nearest relations to other birds has been highly debated. Bristleheads are found in small nomadic flocks traveling in the middle to upper canopy where they feed on insects. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Endemic to the mountains of northern Borneo, the rare and secretive Dulit Frogmouth (Batrachostomus harterti) is known from only a handful of specimens and sight records. Like other frogmouths it is a nocturnal insectivore and by day sleeps motionless on a branch disguised as a cluster of dead leaves. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The Western Tarsier (Cephalopachus bancanus borneanus), also known as Horsfield's Tarsier, is a small nocturnal primate occurring in the lowland forests of Sumatra and Borneo. They are carnivorous and feed mainly on insects, but occasionally take birds and bats. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Katydid (Lacipoda immunda), female. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A potter wasp (Omicroides singularis) returns to her nest with a paralyzed caterpillar. Each perfectly crafted urn will be filled with a dozen or so caterpillars before she deposits a single egg and seals the entrance. The developing wasp larvae will feed on the caterpillars before pupating and emerging as an adult. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • With uncanny precision, this grasshopper (Chorotypus sp.) displays its mimicry of a dead leaf down to the finest details. Why do some organisms go to such extreme lengths for their camouflage while others can get by with a much simpler appearance? The answer of course is largely due to what they are hiding from: there is a direct correlation between the detail of camouflage and the visual acuity of their specific predators. In this case, the sharp eyes of small insectivorous birds, like the hands of a master craftsman, provide the driving force to some of the most eccentric insect appearances. Batang Ai, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The Earless Monitor Lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) is endemic to Borneo where it lives in rocky stream habitats in lowland rainforest. Because of its extreme rarity (it is known from only a few specimens), its life history remains unstudied. It is the only species within its entire family (Lanthanotidae) but it is related to the true monitor lizards (Varanidae). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • This large male Northwest Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) is just beginning to develop cheek pads, a sign of maturity and placing his age to perhaps between 15 to 20 years. Batang Ai, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Perhaps one of the most beautiful of all damselflies, Neurobasis longipes is an inhabitant of clear rocky streams within lowland rainforest. The males (pictured here) utilize their metallic golden and green wings in courtship displays above swift flowing water. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Hardwicke's Woolly Bat (Kerivoula hardwickii) at a pitcher of Nepenthes hemsleyana (N. baramensis) where it roosts. Belait, Brunei Darussalam (Borneo).
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  • Like most snail-eating snakes, the Blunt-headed Tree Snake (Aplopeltura boa) is small and slender with an abnormally large head. They posses an asymmetric arrangement of teeth in their lower jaw which enables them to pry snails from their shells (most of which swirl in a clockwise direction) by a process referred to as "mandible walking". Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • An aerial view reveals the thick mist rising from the canopy after heavy rains on virgin rainforest in northern Borneo. These forests often receive over 4000ml of rain annually. Sabah, Malaysia.
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  • The Malayan Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis) is one of the commonest turtles in Borneo and occurs in a wide variety of habitats. Here a mature specimen enters the tanin-colored waters of a small creek in heath forest. Belait, Brunei Darussalam (Borneo).
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  • A bird's eye view of one of the most unusual pitcher plants in Borneo: Nepenthes veitchii. Whilst most other Nepenthes utilize their looping tendrils to climb higher into vegetation, this species is unique in its 'tree-hugging' growth habit. Starting from the ground up, the thick leathery leaves wrap snugly around the side of the host tree, enabling the plant to reach high into the bright canopy. The beautiful hairy pitchers can reach over 20cm in length and with their slippery wide peristome (toothed rim) they are efficient insect traps. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Ornate Earless Agama (Aphaniotis ornata). Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • An adult male Silvered Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus cristatus) keeps a watchful eye out for any threats to his harem of females. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • ore than just a death trap: the watery chamber of this carnivorous pitcher plant (Nepenthes ampullaria) in the Borneo rainforest is home to a brood of tiny tadpoles. One of the world's smallest frogs (Microhyla nepenthicola), this species will lay its eggs nowhere else, making them completely dependent on the plants. Here, the tadpoles grow in relative safety, except when they are faced with other water-dwelling predators including huge carnivorous mosquitoes. After several weeks they will mature into tiny froglets and make their escape from the pitcher. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A newly hatched Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) makes its way down the beach and feels the touch of the sea for the first time in its life. Many predators lie in wait and young sea turtles have an astonishingly low survival rate, but if it reaches adulthood it may well return to the same beach years in the future to lay eggs of its own. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • An adult male Giant Golden Orbweaver (Nephila pilipes) is dwarfed by a gigantic female of the same species.  The male's tiny size allows him to approach the aggressive female unnoticed, or at least be considered nothing more than an insignificantly small prey item. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The enlarged webbed feet of the Harlequin Tree Frog (Rhacophorus pardalis) enable it to maneuver in mid-air and slow its descent from a higher perch towards a safe landing. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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