Know your primate pals: Learn about 5 of the 26 primate species in Malaysia

The nocturnal Sunda slow loris may seem shy and move slowly, but this rare mammal can be a deadly killer with its poisonous toxin.

There are 26 species of primates in Malaysia, the second highest count in Asia after Indonesia.

Here are the details of five of the 26 species:

Siamang

The Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) is the largest gibbon species. Unfortunately, it is endangered.

These primates are only found in the central highlands of Peninsular Malaysia and small parts of Sumatra.

Their dense, shaggy fur has evolved to allow them to live in the highland forests.

Siamangs are monogamous, which is quite rare among apes.

They live in tight family units, much like humans, consisting of a male, a female and their offspring, including juveniles and adolescents.

Siamangs are also known for their vocalisations, which have earned them the nickname “singers of the forest”.

Their songs echo through the mountains of the Central Forest Spine and are quite distinct.

As arboreal creatures, siamangs spend most of their time searching for fruits and other food sources in the canopy. They rarely come down to the ground.

Southern pig-tailed macaque

The beruk, or Macaca nemestrina, is a macaque species once trained to climb coconut trees and harvest fruit with powerful arms and jaws.

Sadly, their population has drastically declined and they are now considered an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

One striking feature of these primates is their eyes, which bear a remarkable resemblance to those of humans.

They also share over 93% of their genetic makeup with us, making them a preferred animal model for studying human diseases.

Beruk live in typical macaque societies, with an alpha male, his lieutenants, a harem of females and many juveniles.

They can be found on the edges of urban development and in forests.

Robinson’s banded langur

The lotong ceneka, or Presbytis robinsoni, is a shy leaf monkey recently recognised as a separate species.

These primates are only found in the forests of northwestern Peninsular Malaysia.

Lotong ceneka live in small social units consisting of no more than 10 individuals per troupe. They are known to coexist with primates of other species, including dusky langurs.

Like all leaf monkeys, lotong ceneka have large, multi-chambered stomachs rich in microflora, which helps them break down their highly fibrous diet of leaves, shoots, raw fruit and even tree bark.

It’s important to continue studying these primates and their unique digestive systems and protect their forest habitats to ensure their survival.

White-thighed surili

The lotong ceneka siam, or Presbytis siamensis, is a reclusive langur species widespread throughout Peninsular Malaysia and can even be found in the urban green pockets of Kuala Lumpur.

However, many Malaysians are unaware of their existence as these primates prefer to avoid human settlements.

These shy primates live in small troupes of usually no more than 20 individuals and can be found in the highland forests of the Thai-Malay peninsula.

Despite their presence in urban areas, very little is known about them.

Surprisingly, these long-tailed leaf monkeys exist in our capital city, yet we have very little information about them.

Sunda slow loris

The kongkang, or Nycticebus coucang, is an adorable nocturnal primate known for its slow, deliberate movements and ability to remain motionless for long periods.

These traits help it blend in with its surroundings and avoid predator detection.

However, when necessary, it can move very quickly and even administer a venomous bite as a last-resort defence mechanism.

These primates are one of the rare mammals that can produce a toxin, leading to severe swelling and, in some cases, even death.

Unfortunately, they are one of the most endangered primates in Malaysia due to poaching for the illegal wildlife pet trade.