Chien C. Lee

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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Owston's Palm Civet (Chrotogale owstoni), a nocturnal carnivore from Laos and Vietnam, is a highly vulnerable species due to illegal poaching. Captive. Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam.
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  • The Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus chrysorrhous) is a widespread arboreal marsupial occurring in the lowland rainforests of New Guinea and northern Australia. It is solitary and nocturnal, feeding primarily on leaves and fruits. Central Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • An infrared camera trap reveals a secretive nocturnal visitor to the giant pitchers of Nepenthes rajah. The Kinabalu Rat (Rattus baluensis) is known only from the upper slopes of Mount Kinabalu in northern Borneo. New research has confirmed that this rodent shares a similar mutualistic relationship with these pitcher plants as the Mountain Treeshrew (Tupaia montana), by obtaining sweet nectar in exchange for their nitrogen-rich droppings. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A study on perfection in mimicry: a Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus). One of 14 species of leaf-tailed geckos endemic to Madagascar, this nocturnal insectivore utilizes its incredible camouflage to hide among dead foliage by day. All Uroplatus geckos are under severe threat from deforestation and over-collecting for the international pet trade. Andasibe, Madagascar.
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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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  • Fruit and nectar bats (family Pteropodidae) play an important role in the dispersal and pollination of many rainforest trees including figs, bananas, and durian. Over 17 species occur in Borneo, including the widespread Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus brachyotis, pictured here). Unlike insectivorous bats, most Pteropodids do not echolocate and instead rely on their large eyes and keen sense of smell for nocturnal navigation. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • With an adult size usually under 405g, the Pygmy Slow Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) is the smallest of all lorises. It is strictly nocturnal and survives on a diet of insects and fruit. Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam.
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  • The Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus chrysorrhous) is a widespread arboreal marsupial occurring in the lowland rainforests of New Guinea and northern Australia. It is solitary and nocturnal, feeding primarily on leaves and fruits. Central Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • A Gursky's Spectral Tarsier (Tarsius spectrumgurskyae) perches outside of its tree hole roost. These tiny nocturnal primates emerge every evening to hunt for insects. Tangkoko Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
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  • A Pygmy Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) makes a meal of a giant stick insect (Tirachoidea sp.).  Although primarily insectivorous, these nocturnal primates will also feed on fruit, sap, flowers, lizards, and nestling birds.  Captive. Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
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  • Vogelkop Ringtail (Pseudochirulus schlegeli), one of New Guinea’s least studied possums, being known from only a few specimens. Like other ringtails, they are strictly nocturnal, emerging at night to feed on fruit and leaves. Arfak Mountains, West Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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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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  • A Gursky's Spectral Tarsier (Tarsius spectrumgurskyae) perches outside of its tree hole roost. These tiny nocturnal primates emerge every evening to hunt for insects. Tangkoko Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
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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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  • Owston's Palm Civet (Chrotogale owstoni), a nocturnal carnivore from Laos and Vietnam, is a highly vulnerable species due to illegal poaching. Captive. Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam.
    cld09112461.jpg
  • Raising its wings in an aggressive and intimidating display, this large raspy cricket (Capnogryllacris borneoensis) is merely bluffing - it has no venomous sting or chemical defense. Distinguished in their own family (Gryllacrididae), raspy crickets are strictly nocturnal; by day they hide in leaf shelters which are constructed with the aid of silk threads secreted from their mouthparts. Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Restricted to the Atherton Tablelands, the Coppery Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus johnstonii) is one of several species nocturnal possums that together inhabit the same montane rainforests in far north Queensland. Although all are folivorous and feed on a wide variety of trees, these sympatric species are able to co-exist without direct competition by partitioning their diets; each has its own specific combination of food plants. Queensland, Australia.
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  • A Feline Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles insignis) rests in a dense thicket of vegetation by day. This unusual family of nocturnal insectivorous birds, whose center of distribution is in New Guinea, is neither closely related to owls nor nightjars, and are placed in their own order. West Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • With a maximum weight of just over one kg, the Sulawesi Dwarf Cuscus is one of the smallest in the family Phalangeridae. It is strictly nocturnal afeeds primarily on leaves. It is endemic to Sulawesi and a few offshore islands. Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.
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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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  • The Ornate Cuscus (Phalanger ornatus) is endemic to Halmahera and a few offshore islands including Morotai and Bacan. Like other Phalangerids it is nocturnal and feeds primarily on fruit and leaves. Halmahera, North Maluku, 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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  • Endemic to the mountains of central Sulawesi, the stream-breeding Loka Flying Frog (Rhacophorus monticola) is highly variable in coloration. South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
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  • This Collared Nightjar (Gactornis enarratus), a Madagascar endemic, hides itself among the leaf litter of the forest floor while it sleeps. Placed in its own genus, this species is distinct from all other nightjars (family Caprimulgidae) by its plumage, eggs, and behavior. Mantadia National Park, Madagascar.
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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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  • The Long-tongued Nectar Bat (Macroglossus minimus) is an important pollinator of many rainforest trees including mangroves and bananas. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bornean Frogmouth (Batrachostomus mixtus). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Spiny Ground Gecko (Paroedura bastardi). Amboasary, Madagascar.
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  • Deep within spiral of an unfurled Ravenala leaf, a Madagascar Sucker-footed Bat (Myzopoda aurita) roosts in safety. With its adhesive pads it is able to cling to the smooth surface of the leaf where even insects cannot find a foothold. In this way, Myzopoda are remarkably free of the ectoparasites which plague most other bat species. Fianarantsoa, Madagascar.
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  • Deep within spiral of an unfurled Ravenala leaf, a Madagascar Sucker-footed Bat (Myzopoda aurita) roosts in safety. With its adhesive pads it is able to cling to the smooth surface of the leaf where even insects cannot find a foothold. In this way, Myzopoda are remarkably free of the ectoparasites which plague most other bat species. Fianarantsoa, Madagascar.
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  • The Dusky Fruit Bat (Penthetor lucasi) roosts in large colonies in caves, though like most other fruit bats it is not capable of echolocation and relies on its keen eyesight for navigation.  It emerges at night to feed on a variety of fruits, often carrying food back to its roost to eat. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Almost indistinguishable from the branch on which it rests, a Papuan Frogmouth (Podargus papuensis) perches motionless next to its chick. Like other frogmouths, these birds scarcely build any nest at all and rely on camouflage to escape the detection of predators. Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Spiny-tailed Gecko (Diplodactylus ciliaris). Exmouth, Western Australia.
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  • Kayan Loris (Nycticebus kayan), juvenile. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus chrysorrhous), juvenile. Central Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Lesser Bare-backed fruit Bat (Dobsonia minor), feeding on fig. Nimbokrang, Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Barred Eagle-owl (Ketupa sumatrana). Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Northern Ceylonese Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus nordicus). North Western Province, Sri Lanka.
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  • Arguably Madagascar’s most iconic insect: the Comet Moth (Argema mittrei). Despite its obvious beauty, the long twisted tails of its wings aren’t made for aesthetic purposes – recent studies have shown that they play an important role in defense against their main predator: echolocating bats. When closing in for a kill, the acoustic reflections from the tail confuse the bat so that it misses the moth’s body, often ending up with nothing but a bit of broken tail in its mouth. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Grey Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus). Kirindy Reserve, Morondava, Madagascar.
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  • Madagascar Cat-eyed Snake (Madagascarophis colubrinus). Mahajanga, Madagascar.
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  • This large female katydid (Eumacroxiphus brachyurus) carries a spermatophore pack near the tip of her abdomen from a recent mating. The formidable-appearing ovipositor will allow her to place her eggs deep in the substrate of her choice. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A Lesser False Vampire Bat (Megaderma spasma) roosting near the entrance of a shallow limestone cave. Named because of their superficial resemblance to true vampire bats (which are restricted to Central and South America), Megaderma are insectivorous and do not drink blood. This species sometimes attains a large size (nearly 35g in weight) and is known to occasionally take more substantial prey including lizards, small birds, mammals, and even other bats. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica), juvenile. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Goodman's Mouse Lemur (Microcebus lehilahytsara), feeding on the nectar of night-blooming Dombeya flowers. Andasibe, Madagascar.
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  • Under the cover of darkness, a cicada sheds its nymphal skin to emerge as a fully grown adult.  Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A species of bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus cf. mikianus) from the Mamberamo Basin in western New Guinea. Papua, Indonesia.
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  • Under the cover of darkness, a female katydid (Tympanophyllum arcufolium) uses her stout ovipositor to deposit eggs under tree bark where they will be concealed from predators. Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld08121082.jpg
  • Arguably Madagascar’s most iconic insect: the Comet Moth (Argema mittrei). Despite its obvious beauty, the long twisted tails of its wings aren’t made for aesthetic purposes – recent studies have shown that they play an important role in defense against their main predator: echolocating bats. When closing in for a kill, the acoustic reflections from the tail confuse the bat so that it misses the moth’s body, often ending up with nothing but a bit of broken tail in its mouth. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
    cld1835590.jpg
  • Tarsier Monkey-Frog (Phyllomedusa tarsius). Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • Deep within spiral of an unfurled Ravenala leaf, a Madagascar Sucker-footed Bat (Myzopoda aurita) roosts in safety. With its adhesive pads it is able to cling to the smooth surface of the leaf where even insects cannot find a foothold. In this way, Myzopoda are remarkably free of the ectoparasites which plague most other bat species. Fianarantsoa, Madagascar.
    cld1722569.jpg
  • Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps), feeding on sap of Acacia tree. Wasur National Park, South Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • A procession of Asian army ants (Leptogenys processionalis) transports their entire colony, including the large tubular pupae of new workers, to a new site.  These ants posses a fierce sting. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Endemic to the mossy cloud forests of Papua, a Mountain Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles albertisi) rests by the day in a thicket of vegetation. Biologists once believed that these strange cryptic birds (family Aegothelidae) were close relatives of the frogmouths due to their similar appearance and habits. Studies of their skulls has revealed that they are in fact more closely related to hummingbirds and swifts. Almost the entire family (7 of 10 species) is restricted to New Guinea. Arfak Mountains, West Papua, Indonesia.
    cld1608647.jpg
  • A pair of Lesser False Vampire Bats (Megaderma spasma) roosting near the entrance of a shallow limestone cave. Named because of their superficial resemblance to true vampire bats (which are restricted to Central and South America), Megaderma are insectivorous and do not drink blood. This species sometimes attains a large size (nearly 35g in weight) and is known to occasionally take more substantial prey including lizards, small birds, mammals, and even other bats. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld08112037.jpg
  • The newly distinguished Kayan Loris (Nycticebus kayan) differs from other Bornean loris species by a combination of morphological traits. 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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  • Once their camouflage has failed, many insects resort to an alternative strategy - trying to make themselves appear as large and intimidating as possible. This harmless leaf katydid (Tympanophyllum arcufolium) from the Borneo rainforest is attempting to do just that by standing on its head and spreading its translucent wings. Male Tympanophyllum katydids are renowned for the loud and eerie violin-like calls they make, which adds to the magical abience of the Bornean rainforest at night. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Northern Leaf-tailed Gecko (Saltuarius cornutus). Queensland, Australia.
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  • Night Hornet (Provespa anomala). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Large Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus). Sarawak, 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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  • Graceful Madagascar Ground Gecko (Paroedura gracilis). Marojejy National Park, Madagascar.
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  • This large Huntsman spider (Gnathopalystes sp.) has captured a walking stick (Hermagoras hosei). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A pair of Lesser False Vampire Bats (Megaderma spasma) roosting near the entrance of a shallow limestone cave. Named because of their superficial resemblance to true vampire bats (which are restricted to Central and South America), Megaderma are insectivorous and do not drink blood. This species sometimes attains a large size (nearly 35g in weight) and is known to occasionally take more substantial prey including lizards, small birds, mammals, and even other bats. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld08112034.jpg
  • Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica), juvenile. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A large colony of Wrinkle-lipped Bats (Chaerephon plicata) emerges from a cave at dusk. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The Brown Spiny Rat (Maxomys rajah) is found in lowland rainforests where it forages for food on the ground and in low vegetation. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bornean Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus borneensis). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A newly distinguished species, the Kayan Loris (Nycticebus kayan) differs from other Bornean loris species by a combination of morphological traits. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
    cld07022741.jpg
  • With over one hundred species occurring throughout the island in virtually all habitats, Madagascar is a hotspot for gecko diversity and endemism. This Graceful Madagascar Ground Gecko (Paroedura gracilis) is an inhabitant of the eastern rainforests and, unlike most arboreal species, lacks the enlarged toe pads for climbing vertical surfaces. Active only at night, it hunts insects from low perches in the forest understory. Marojejy National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Giant Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus) from Masoala National Park. Antsiranana, Madagascar.
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  • A juvenile Spotted Cuscus forages in a small tree for leaves and fruit at night. Central Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti). Cordillera de Talamanca, Panama.
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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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  • Penang Hairy Huntsman (Rhitymna pinangensis), male. Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Grey Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus). Kirindy Reserve, Madagascar.
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  • A katydid (Promeca sp.) utilizes its excellent camouflage coloration to blend in with the lichens and epiphylls on the surface of a leaf. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The Black-headed Cat Snake (Boiga nigriceps) is an arboreal predator of birds and other snakes.  Although it has one of the most potent venoms of all colubrid snakes, it possesses only rear fangs and is not an aggressive species. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Under the protective concealment of night, this raspy cricket (family Gryllacrididae) sheds its final skin, slowly and delicately pulling its long antennae from their old sheath. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Rufous Mouse Lemur (Microcebus rufus), feeding on katydid. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • The Waigeo Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus papuensis) is endemic to a single island off the northwestern coast of West Papua. Closely related to possums, this is a pouched marsupial, spending its entire life in the trees where it feeds on leaves and occasional fruits.
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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).
    cld1208656.jpg
  • 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 Great Eared Nightjar (Lyncornis macrotis) is one of the largest in its family, reaching lengths of over 40cm. Like other nightjars, this cryptically-colored nocturnal bird relies on its camouflage to remain undetected while sleeping on or near the forest floor during the day. North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
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  • By means of its extensive skin membranes, the Sunda Colugo (Galeopterus variegatus borneanus), is capable of gliding impressive distances between trees. This adult is carrying a young offspring on its underside. Bearing no relation to true lemurs, colugos are in their own unique order and are only distantly related to primates and treeshrews. They are nocturnal, feeding on leaves, flowers, and sap. Recent research on morphological and genetic variations indicate that the Bornean and Javan subspecies may merit recognition as distinct species. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Looking like a cross between a dragonfly and a butterfly, owlflies (family Ascalaphidae) are in fact more closely related to ant lions and lacewings. These nocturnal predators feed on small insects that they catch on the wing. By day, they sleep concealed on twigs, or in this unusual case (Cordulecerus sp.), as a group together on a root hanging above a stream. Sleeping in an aggregation with their antennae held outstretched in a perimeter may help to better detect the approach of predators, keeping the group safer than sleeping alone. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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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).
    cld1106199.jpg
  • With night vision hundreds of times more sensitive than ours and the ability to discern color even in near total darkness, Madagascar’s leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus spp.) are superbly adapted as nocturnal insect hunters. Large eyes, however, demand special maintenance. Like most geckos, Uroplatus have no eyelids and cannot blink; instead, they utilize their long tongues like windshield wipers, keeping their eyes moist and clean. This is a young male Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (U. phantasticus), a denizen of the island’s rainforest zone and a superb mimic of dead foliage. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Although masterful visual predators by day, chameleons lack light-sensitive rods in their eyes and thus have poor night vision. Because of this they typically retire at dusk to a sleeping perch, often returning to a favorite exposed branch which ideally puts them out of the reach of nocturnal snakes. This dozing Two-banded Chameleon (Furcifer balteatus) can be identified as a mature male by the two large rostral horns on his head, ornaments which are used to compete for mates. Endemic to only a small region of Madagascar’s southeastern rainforests, this species has become increasingly endangered and rare due to habitat loss and collection for the pet trade. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • It is probable that the luminescent quality of these small mushrooms (Favolaschia manipularis) serve to attract nocturnal insects which will aid in spore dispersal. Bako National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A juvenile Bornean Dark-necked Slug Snake (Asthenodipsas borneensis). This nocturnal species feeds on slugs and snails in low vegetation. Recently split from A. malaccanus of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bornean Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi borneensis), captive female. This is the largest land predator in Borneo and possesses the longest canine teeth of any living feline. It is a nocturnal hunter and has been observed feeding on prey as large as large as Proboscis Monkeys. Recently this species was distinguished from the mainland Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Carefully sequestered on a perch not far above the rainforest floor, a Moyer’s Pygmy Chameleon (Rhampholeon moyeri) sleeps by night safely hidden from prowling nocturnal predators. Measuring less than 6 cm in total length, these are some of the smallest and most camouflaged in Africa – by day when they hunt for insects on the ground they are nearly invisible among the leaf litter. Recent research has shown that there is a surprising amount of diversity among Rhampholeon chameleons (26 currently recognized species), many of which are restricted to their own isolated mountain ranges. . Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania.
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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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  • 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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  • Like an eager fisherman, a Madagascan Net-casting Spider (Deinopis madagascariensis) waits patiently above the stem of a small bush, ready to ensnare a passing insect with its sticky web. Sometimes called ‘Ogre-faced Spiders’ due to their enormous front eyes, these nocturnal predators have highly acute vision and are able to detect small movements even in complete darkness. Their method of capturing prey is unique among all spiders: the web they spin for this purpose is composed of highly stretchable, sticky fibers – it is swept over an insect in a blindingly fast scooping motion of the front legs, with the resulting struggling prey quickly immobilized by a venomous bite. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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