BEHIND THE SCENES

Malayan water monitor is a large carnivores lizard that can grow up to 3m long.  They are the most common monitor lizards native to South and Southeast Asia and live near water.  They defend themselves using their tails, claws, jaws and are excellent swimmers.  Although monitor lizards secrete venom, it is not fatal to humans.

Location: Langkawi, Malaysia 

Endemic to Sri Lanka but have since spread to other regions, the black and yellow millipede Anoplodesmus Saussurii are mostly herbivores commonly found in leaf litter and eat any decaying leaves and organic matter.  They are not venomous but to protect themselves, they will either make a bad smell by secreting hydrogen cyanide or roll up to protect their softer underparts, exposing only the tougher upperparts.

Location: Singapore 

Dusky leaf monkeys are arboreal and can be found in various habitats, generally preferring dense forests with an abundance of tall trees. They are herbivores and feed upon young leaves, fruits, shoots and seedlings. They belong in social groups of 5 - 20 individuals and their babies are golden for the first 6 months.  

Location: Langkawi, Malaysia

Orangutans are great apes native to Indonesia and Malaysia.  Among the most intelligent primates, they construct elaborate sleeping nests from branches and foliage using a variety of sophisticated tools each night.  They are mostly arboreal and fruits are the most important component of their diet.

Location: Borneo, Malaysia

Coelastrea aspera is a common species of stony coral native to the Indo-Pacific region where it occurs in shallow intertidal waters. In its tissues it contains symbiotic unicellular photosynthetic organisms that provide nutrients and energy for the coral host. The coral in return provides a protective environment and a supply of carbon dioxide.

Location: Langkawi, Malaysia

Blue crested lizard are native to Southeast Asia. Usually grayish to reddish brown color, during mating season, both male and female’s upper body will transform into this striking turquoise blue hue. Featured here is a female since the male species have a well developed throat pouch.

Location: Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

Malayan flying lemurs are are not lemurs but colugos and are close relative to primates.  They nocturnal and arboreal, found in treetops of tropical rainforests gliding not flying from tree to tree.  They are strictly herbivorous and feed on soft plant parts such as fruits, flowers, buds, young leaves, nectar, and sap.  They can be found throughout Southeast Asia.  Watch them glide from tree to tree. 

Location: Langkawi, Malaysia

The female Joro Spider is native to Asia and can grow up to 5 inches. The name is derived from “Joro-gumo”, Japanese word meaning “binding bride”. As the legend goes, this spider can change into a beautiful women and will seek and seduce handsome young men to bind in her golden silk and devour for dinner. 

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Oriental garden lizards are widely distributed in Asia.  They are also known as changeable lizards due to its wide variation in coloration and ability to change colors significantly during the breeding season. They are usually full brown, grey or olive color but during mating season, males will change into this brilliant crimson/yellow party suit to attract females.  

Location: Maldives

Oriental Pied Hornbill is the smallest and most common canopy dwelling Asian hornbill.  They mate for life so are often seen in pairs with lifespan approx. 15 years.  Their diet is predominately fruits though they will eat large insects, small birds, small reptiles and amphibians.  They are found in abundance in the Indian subcontinents and throughout Southeast Asia.  

Location: Langkawi, Malaysia

Long Tailed Macaque's defining characteristic is their extraordinarily long tail that is almost always longer than their height from head to rump.  These omnivorous macaques are primarily arboreal found in tropical rainforest native to Southeast Asia. They are excellent swimmers probably a predator avoidance technique.  Watch video of them in their natural habitat.

Location: Langkawi, Malaysia

Tokay Gecko's name is derived from the male's loud mating call which sounds like"tokay".  These arboreal nocturnal gecko live in tropical rainforests, rock crevices or manmade environments across Southeast and East Asia and feed on insects and occasional small mammals.  They can cast off their tail in defense and later regenerate a new one.  They have an incredible grip and the ability to “stick” to surfaces. The grip force can support about 450 pounds.

Location: Langkawi, Malaysia

Not all snails are created equal. This glow in the dark snail Quantula Striata is one of a kind. The only known snail to have a glow organ under its chin producing a yellow-green light and a faint body glow. It uses the same system to glow as fireflies, two chemicals: luciferase reacts with luciferin to produce light. Even the eggs glow and so do newly hatched snails.

Location: Singapore

This relatively large Tussock Moth Caterpillar is at its final instar and has characteristic tufts of hair that is reputed to cause irritations when handled.

Location: Singapore

The Many - Lined Sun Skink is native to Asia and mainly terrestrial and diurnal. The name ‘many lined’ refers to the 5 - 7 dark scale lines running down the back.  They feed mostly on insects and give birth to live young between two to seven baby skinks in a litter.  They are to be found often found basking in the sun along forest tracks or on tree trunks.

Location: Langkawi, Malaysia

Opalescent Pendant Snail is an arboreal land snail with a translucently milky-white shell.  The green is actually the color of the mantle, a muscle that holds the body to the shell and is responsible for keeping the shape of the snail inside the shell.  

Location: Langkawi, Malaysia