Chien C. Lee

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  • With their spring-loaded jaws capable of snapping shut at over 200km/h, trap-jaw ants (Odontomachus sp.) have some of the fastest predatory strikes in the animal kingdom. However, this isn’t their only weapon: they also possess a powerful wasp-like sting that can either subdue prey or serve as an effective deterrent against any animal foolish enough to disturb their nest. There are over 70 species distributed throughout the tropics, shown here is one of the largest: O. tyrannicus from the steamy lowland jungles of New Guinea, its mandibles retracted and ready to strike. Papua, Indonesia.
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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 largest terrestrial and river predator in the world, the Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) can reach lengths of over 6 m and consumes a wide range of animal prey. They are commonly found in mangroves, lagoons, and large rivers along the coastline of Borneo.  Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Callambulyx amanda. Although this sphinx moth (family Sphingidae) is perfectly camouflaged against green foliage when it is resting, any disturbance from an animal will prompt it to flash its brightly colored hind wings and suspicious-looking eyespots. This startle tactic is the insect's only defense against predators and is a common coloration theme found in many moth species. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Feared by some, revered by others, the Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) is surely one of Madagascar's most bizarre lemurs. Unique among primates, the Aye-aye's front incisors grow continuously like a rodent, leading to the early belief that they were some sort of gigantic nocturnal squirrel. Equally unusual are its long bony middle fingers which are used by the animal to tap tree trunks for the sound of insect grubs inside and then extract them like a fish hook. Unfortunately, Aye-ayes have become gravely endangered from habitat loss and persecution by people: they are often killed on sight due to the superstition that they are an omen of death. Tomasina, Madagascar.
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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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  • In possession of one of the most painful stings in the insect world, tarantula wasps (Pepsis spp.) are avoided by just about every animal in the forest. This makes them a great thing to be mistaken for, especially if you happen to be an otherwise defenseless katydid such as this (Aganacris velutina). The katydid not only mimics the wasp’s distinctive coloration of a shiny black body with bright orange wings and antennae, but also its quick and jerky movements, making it appear decidedly ‘un-katydidlike’. This is particularly amazing considering katydids are family of insects normally renowned for their remarkable camouflage colorations. Canandé Reserve, Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
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  • With a flair for home decor, the Vogelkop Bowerbird (Amblyornis inornata) produces perhaps the most artful creation of any animal, all in the name of romance. Here, a male bird shows off his collection of freshly collected flowers, fungi, beetle shells, and blue berries, neatly organized in piles laid out on a mat of meticulously cleaned moss. The twig hut in the back is not a nest - rather its construction is made entirely for the purpose of impressing a visiting female who will choose to mate with him only after a thorough inspection of his display. Arfak Mountains, West Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Although most people are familiar with the Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) in the scrublands and prairies of the southern US, it is originally an animal from tropical rainforests, including the Amazon Basin. This individual uses a fallen log to cross a stream during its nocturnal foray for insects and other tiny tasty morsels. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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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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  • Although the blooms of this rare mangrove tree (Pelliciera rhizophorae) are visited by hummingbirds in the day, the flowers remain open at night and exude a strong musty odor to attract an entirely different animal. Captured by an infrared camera trigger, a Leaf-nosed Bat (Glossophaga soricina) approaches an open flower to partake of the rich source of nectar. Nectar-feeding bats are common in the tropics and are responsible for the pollination of a great number of tree species. Choco, Colombia.
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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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  • Many tropical butterfly species congregate on sandy river banks to supplement their diet with dissolved minerals or animal urine. These are the Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae), a species of swallowtail (family Papilionidae) widespread across Southeast Asia. Uthai Thani, Thailand.
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  • The rigid armour-like scales of the Pangolin (Manis javanica) afford it a high degree of protection from predators.  The scales are considered as valuable in Chinese medicine, and the animal is frequently hunted for this reason. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The Malay Civet (Viverra tangalunga) is a shy nocturnal animal of the rainforest.  This individual was photographed by means of an infrared camera trigger. 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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  • Nycticebus menagensis. One of four species of Slow Loris found in Borneo. All Slow Loris are nocturnal arboreal primates which feed on small animals, insects and soft fruits. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • With fewer than a thousand individuals remaining in the wild, the Critically Endangered Golden Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur aureus) holds on to a tenuous existence in the rainforests of Madagascar. It’s discovery in the mid-1980’s was a crucial factor that led to the foundation of the now famous Ranomafana National Park – a reserve that protects over 400 sq. km. of tropical forest. Like other bamboo lemurs, it feeds primarily on bamboo shoots which, due to their high cyanide content, are lethally toxic to most other animals. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Hose’s Civet (Diplogale hosei), one of Borneo’s rarest and least known endemic mammals. This otter-like carnivore is an inhabitant of high elevation mossy forests where it hunts for frogs, fish, and other small animals. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Once considered one of the three most elusive birds in the world, the Long-tailed Ground Roller (Uratelornis chimaera) is a prized sighting for any birdwatcher. The entire family of Ground Rollers (Brachypteraciidae, 5 species) is endemic to Madagascr, but while most are inhabitants of rainforest, this is the only species found in in the arid spiny desert of the island’s extreme southwest. Even within this region it has as very restricted distribution and occurs at low densities, with only a few birds per square kilometer. Adapted for running swiftly on the ground with their powerful legs, these birds hunt for insects and small animals in the sand and leaf-litter. Toliara, Madagascar.
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  • Mountain Treeshrew (Tupaia montana) feeding at Nepenthes rajah.  Recent research has shown the the world's largest pitcher plant Nepenthes rajah is not exclusively carnivorous. Like the related N. lowii, this species attracts treeshrews by secreting nectar on the undersurface of the lid. These animals frequently leave their droppings in the pitcher, which serves as a valuable nitrogen source in their impoverished mountain habitat. Mount Kinabalu National Park, 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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  • The Three-striped Ground Snake (Pseudoxyrhopus tritaeniatus) is certainly one of the most beautiful of Madagascan endemic snakes, but why is it colored this way? Bold red stripes are frequently used as an aposematic warning, indicating to other animals of severe danger. It is curious then that not only is this species completely non-venomous but there are in fact no other dangerous snakes in Madagascar that this could possibly be a mimic of. An interesting theory points to the co-occurrence of large red toxic millipedes in the same forests – could these actually be a mimicry model for this snake? On an island legendary for its biological curiosities, nothing seems beyond the realm of possibility. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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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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  • A Northern Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis) in the foothills of Marojejy National Park, one of at least five species of Hapalemur distributed throughout the forests of Madagascar. True to their name, these small lemurs subsist on a diet that consists largely of young bamboo leaves, a remarkable feat considering the high cyanide content found in the plant’s tissues. It is still not completely understood exactly how these lemurs are able to survive on a diet so tainted with cyanide that it would kill animals much larger than themselves. Antsiranana, Madagascar.
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  • The fox-like Fanaloka (Fossa fossana) is sometimes referred to as a “Malagasy Civet” but it actually belongs to the endemic Madagascan family Eupleridae. Furtive and nocturnal, it is the second-largest native carnivore on the island, preying on small animals that it hunts on the forest floor. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • At nightfall, a Tepui Tree Frog (Tepuihyla obscura) emerges from the folds of a carnivorous bromeliad (Brocchinia reducta) in which it has sheltered for the day. Although receiving rain almost daily, the summits of Venezuela’s tepui mountains are exposed to volatile weather patterns, with mist often giving way to brutally intense sunlight over a span of a few minutes. A lack of shade-providing trees means that there is little to protect delicate animals such as amphibians, hence these water-filled bromeliads provide an ideal refuge from the harsh climate fluctuations. The slippery wax-coated leaves, which are designed to trap insects, are no hindrance to the frogs. Canaima National Park, Venezuela.
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  • The glass-like quality of a White-spotted Clearwing (Greta annette) becomes revealed against the dappled light of the cloud forest understory. Although a great variety of marine organisms utilize transparency as a functional means of underwater invisibility, this type of optical camouflage is rare among terrestrial species for several reasons. Animals not living in water must protect their internal organs from damaging UV light and also possess rigid structural support for their bodies because they live in a non-buoyant medium; both of these are accomplished by pigments and opaque structures. In addition, the refractive index between living tissues and air means that reflections of light are a potential problem. Clearwing butterflies overcome this last hindrance by having the transparent portions of their wings covered with randomly-sized microscopic “nanopillars” – this results in their wings being remarkably unreflective from nearly all angles. Researchers studying this propose that these butterfly wings could be applied as a model to increase the efficiency of solar cells and in the manufacture of other non-reflective surfaces.  El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico.
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  • Males of the Madagascar's Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) can usually be distinguished by their elaborately notched tails, a trait which gives them better mimicry of a leaf that has been partially eaten by insects. Exactly why this is a sexually dimorphic feature in these geckos is unknown, but in some animals different camouflage patterns in males and females can arise where each sex spends their time hiding in different locations and thus face differing selective pressures on their appearance. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Males of the Madagascar's Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) can usually be distinguished by their elaborately notched tails, a trait which gives them better mimicry of a leaf that has been partially eaten by insects. Exactly why this is a sexually dimorphic feature in these geckos is unknown, but in some animals different camouflage patterns in males and females can arise where each sex spends their time hiding in different locations and thus face differing selective pressures on their appearance. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • With fewer than a thousand individuals remaining in the wild, the Critically Endangered Golden Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur aureus) holds on to a tenuous existence in the rainforests of Madagascar. It’s discovery in the mid-1980’s was a crucial factor that led to the foundation of the now famous Ranomafana National Park – a reserve that protects over 400 sq. km. of tropical forest. Like other bamboo lemurs, it feeds primarily on bamboo shoots which, due to their high cyanide content, are lethally toxic to most other animals. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • With their vertical pupils and opposable thumbs, Phyllomedusa are easily some of the most distinguishable of all tree frogs. However, it is their peculiar form of locomotion that is perhaps their most striking feature: when seen walking slowly down a branch with their bodies raised, they appear decidedly ‘un-froglike’. Studies into their anatomy reveal that they possess a specialized musculature that not only allows them to move their limbs independently (as opposed to the simultaneous bilateral hopping motions of most other frogs), but also gives them a ‘precision grip’ which enables steady movement over thin branches. This grasping ability is rare among animals and is shared predominantly with higher primates, hence leading to one of their common names: ‘Monkey Frogs’. Coca, Ecuador.
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  • Although completely non-venomous, the Painted Mock Viper (Psammodynastes pictus) defends itself by aggressively striking if threatened. It often hunts aquatic animals such as frogs and fish by perching on a low branch over the surface of the water. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Unlike the rest of the Philippines, Palawan has a close biogeographic affinity with Borneo, which is separated by a shallow sea channel.  This is exemplified by many closely-related species of plants and animals, including Everett's Tree Frog (Philautus everetti), an inhabitant of hill and montane forests.
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  • Weighing in at less than 1kg, the Ring-tailed Mongoose (Galidia elegans) is a quick and agile predator, feeding on a wide range of small animals and insects. Together with all of Madagascar’s endemic carnivores (in the family Eupleridae), it is believed to have descended from a single common ancestor that arrived on the island about 16-22 million years ago. Marojejy National Park, Madagascar.
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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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  • At nightfall, a Tepui Tree Frog (Tepuihyla obscura) emerges from the folds of a carnivorous bromeliad (Brocchinia reducta) in which it has sheltered for the day. Although receiving rain almost daily, the summits of Venezuela’s tepui mountains are exposed to volatile weather patterns, with mist often giving way to brutally intense sunlight over a span of a few minutes. A lack of shade-providing trees means that there is little to protect delicate animals such as amphibians, hence these water-filled bromeliads provide an ideal refuge from the harsh climate fluctuations. The slippery wax-coated leaves, which are designed to trap insects, are no hindrance to the frogs. Canaima National Park, Venezuela.
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  • A colony on the move: a swarm of giant stinging ants (Leptogenys chalybaea) moves across the Borneo rainforest floor carrying their brood (grubs, pupa, and winged reproductives). These are Asia’s equivalent of ‘army ants’: nomadic hunters that deplete their prey in one area before moving their entire nest to a new site every few days. Leptogenys ants, and this species in particular, are aggressive and possess a painful sting, reasons that they are well respected by other animals in the forest. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A colony on the move: a swarm of giant stinging ants (Leptogenys chalybaea) moves across the Borneo rainforest floor carrying their brood (grubs, pupa, and winged reproductives). These are Asia’s equivalent of ‘army ants’: nomadic hunters that deplete their prey in one area before moving their entire nest to a new site every few days. Leptogenys ants, and this species in particular, are aggressive and possess a painful sting, reasons that they are well respected by other animals in the forest. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Verreaux's Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi), crossing road. Popularly known as the ‘Dancing Sifakas’ for their remarkable hopping agility, few visitors realize that the dancing spectacle is in part due to the loss of these animals’ habitat: they naturally dwell in dry and spiny forests and only descend to the ground when they must cross a cleared area. Amboasary, Madagascar.
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  • An infrared camera trap captures a male Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) on his daily hunt for prey in the Chocóan cloud forest of western Ecuador. One of six species of wild cats in this region, the shy and seldom-seen Ocelot is a predator of small animals including birds, rodents, and reptiles. Mashpi Amagusa Reserve, Ecuador.
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  • Although completely non-venomous, the Painted Mock Viper (Psammodynastes pictus) defends itself by aggressively striking if threatened. It often hunts aquatic animals such as frogs and fish by perching on a low branch over the surface of the water. Central Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
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  • Stick insects are often thought of as being some of the most cryptically-colored of all animals, an adaptation that enables them to blend in perfectly with their surroundings and avoid detection from predators. However, some species such as this red-and-blue Calvisia sp. from central Borneo, take a completely different approach to defense; its bright coloration likely warns of a noxious chemical defense. Predators are quick to learn that prey insects which aren’t hiding themselves, are probably hiding a surprise instead. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A Lined Gecko (Gekko vittatus) perches in its rainforest habitat on the island of Halmahera, central Indonesia. Sometimes referred to as the "Skunk Gecko" because of its distinctive coloration, these are popular animals in the pet trade and large numbers are collected and exported yearly from Indonesia and the Solomon Islands. North Maluku, Indonesia.
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  • The Oriental Bay-Owl (Phodilus badius) is a denizen of dense rainforest; with its short and rounded wings it is able to manoeuvre between branches and twisted understory lianas while hunting for small animals, often stopping to perch peculiarly on vertical saplings as seen here. Like its larger relatives, the barn owls, the concave shape of the face is designed to focus sounds towards its ears, enabling the bird to hone in on even the faintest sounds of prey. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • 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. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Sometimes referred to as the ‘Trees of Life’, baobabs (Adansonia spp.) provide food and shelter for many species of animals, particularly those surviving in the brutally hot and arid climate of Madagascar’s southwest. Here, a Southwestern Night Snake (Ithycyphus oursi) takes shelter during the heat of the day beneath a fissure in the bark of a Za Baobab (A. za). These hiding spots are sometimes shared with geckos, scorpions and Madagascar’s famous hissing cockroaches. This snake, incidentally, is one of the few venomous species on the island; while perhaps not dangerous to humans its bite has been observed to cause paralysis in chameleons. Amboasary, Madagascar.
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  • A male harvestman (Quindina limbata) within a nest he has constructed on the side of a fallen log. He will remain in this nest for several months to mate with visiting females and guard the eggs which have been buried within the mud floor. Limón, Costa Rica.
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  • Jade Tree Frog (Zhangixalus dulitensis). Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei (Borneo).
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  • Fruit-piercing moth (Eudocima phalonia) using its stout proboscis to feed on the sweet juice of wild figs (Ficus fistulosa). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Red-bearded Bee-Eater (Nyctyornis amictus), male. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Wallace's Flying Frog (Rhacophorus nigropalmatus). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Ring-tailed Vontsira (Galidia elegans). Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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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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  • Greater Sac-winged Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata). Colón, Panama.
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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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  • White-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga drapiezii), green morph. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Tiger Leech (Haemadipsa sp. aff. picta). Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Wasp-mimicking moth (Atrijuglans hetaohei). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Dead leaf mantis (Deroplatys moultoni). Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Asian Ant Mantis (Odontomantis sp.). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus). Sungai Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Lichen huntsman spider (Pandercetes cf. nigrogularis). South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
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  • Stag beetle (Prosopocoilus occipitalis), male. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Hidden in the dense leaf litter of the rainforest floor, an Amazonian Horned Frog (Ceratophrys cornuta) lies in wait for its next meal. With a mouth wider than the length of its body, and a voracious appetite to boot, these frogs can consume prey as large as small reptiles and rodents. This species is widely distributed in the Amazon Basin, but nowhere particularly abundant. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • Bornean Opposite-fingered Tree Frog (Feihyla inexpectata), first photographic record for this species in Sarawak. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Spectacled Flying Fox (Pteropus conspicillatus). Waigeo Island, West Papua, Indonesia.
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  • Sun Glass Frog (Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum), male hiding on the underside of a leaf. The pattern on the back of this species mimics a cluster of the frog's eggs, which help to deter attacks by predatory wasps. Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
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  • Larut Bush Frog (Philautus larutensis), male. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Longhorn beetle (Sphingnotus mirabilis). Waigeo Island, West Papua, Indonesia.
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  • With over 60,000 currently recognized species (and perhaps double that still awaiting discovery), rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) are without a doubt the most diverse family of organisms on the planet. Most are relatively unnoticed because of their often diminutive size and secretive habits, but a few species such as this predatory one (Actinus imperialis) are larger and more colorful. Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Ivohimanita Madagascar Frog (Mantidactylus majori), male guarding eggs. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Few creatures possess a mastery of camouflage the way Madagascar’s leaf-tailed geckos do. This Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae) sleeps by day on a rainforest liana, its outline obscured by frilled dermal flaps that line its body. By always resting in a downward-facing position they may be able to quickly catch unsuspecting insects that climb up from the ground and also conceal their reflective lidless eyes from predators lurking above. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Golden Forest Ant (Polyrhachis ypsilon). Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Dung beetle (Paragymnopleurus sparsus), rolling scat of Sambar Deer. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Smallest of all the anteaters, the Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is seldom seen because it spends much of its life high in the rainforest canopy, often curled up as an indistinguishable ball of fluff. They have no teeth and can only defend themselves by means of their razor sharp sickle-like fore-claws, which are usually used for tearing open ant nests. Females bear a single youngster at a time, which is carried on their back until large enough to feed on its own. Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
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  • Huntsman spider (Gnathopalystes sp.), male. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Sri Lankan Grey Langur (Semnopithecus priam thersites). Yala National Park, Sri Lanka.
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  • Matang Narrow-mouthed Frog (Microhyla nepenthicola), in amplexus.  This is the smallest frog in the Old World and it rears its young exclusively in the fluid of pitcher plants. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Huntsman spider (Chrosioderma sp.), female guarding eggs. Andasibe, Madagascar.
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  • Endemic to the mountains of northern Borneo, the Kinabalu Horned Frog (Pelobatrachus baluensis) breeds only in clear rocky streams with cold water. By day they lie camouflaged among the leaf litter on the forest floor, but they emerge at night to call for mates. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata), a big reason why hikers in the Amazonian rainforest always proceed with trepidation when stepping off the trail into thick vegetation. One of the largest ants in the world, this species is infamous for its ferocious sting which some (unfortunate) individuals consider equivalent in pain to being shot. The ant's sting contains a neurotoxic venom and has been rated by biologists as the only perfect "4+" on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, making it the most painful of all insect stings. Coca, Ecuador.
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  • Ecuadorian Toadheaded Pitviper (Bothrocophias campbelli). Mashpi Amagusa Reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador.
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  • When approached by a potential predator, these amazingly camouflaged leaf grasshoppers (Chorotypus sp.) align their flattened bodies with the leaf they are perched on and remain completely still to accentuate their mimicry. Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Giant ant lion (Palpares amitinus). Amboasary, Madagascar.
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  • The Twin-barred Flying Snake (Chrysopelea pelias) is the smallest and rarest of Southeast Asia's flying snake species. Like other Chrysopelea, this snake hunts lizards and is almost completely arboreal. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Malayan Flat-shelled Turtle (Notochelys platynota). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Leaf katydid (Cratioma oculatum), female. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Sabah Bamboo Pitviper (Trimeresurus sabahi). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A nocturnal Net-casting Spider (Asianopis sp.) lies in wait for an insect to venture beneath. Between its front legs it holds an expandable sticky white web which it will use to fling over its prey, ensnaring it.  These are sometimes referred to as 'Ogre-faced Spiders' because of the extremely large posterior median eyes which allow them to see in darkness. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The Long-tongued Nectar Bat (Macroglossus minimus) is an important pollinator of many rainforest trees. Here it is feeding on the nectar of banana flowers. 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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  • Flat-nosed Pitviper (Craspedocephalus puniceus). West Java, Indonesia.
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  • The Black-bearded Tomb Bat (Taphozous melanopogon) roosts in caves and large rock crevices, emerging at night to feed on insects high above the forest canopy. It is found throughout much of mainland Southeast Asia as well as Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. It's echolocation calls while flying are audible as high pitched clicks. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Extremely agile on the wing, the Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus) is a specialist predator of bats and swiftlets, often waiting near cave entrances for its prey to emerge. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Flower mantis (Theopropus elegans), female. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Tree Frog (Litoria rubella). Wasur National Park, South Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis terrificus). Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
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  • When threatened, the Knob-tailed Gecko (Nephrurus levis) raises its body off the ground to appear larger in size. Cape Range National Park, Western Australia.
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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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