Tiger Monkey

Curious about the Tiger Monkey? Well you won’t find one here in Penang. The name is a bit misleading. The knowledge I have doesn’t mention a Tiger Monkey specifically located on Penang Island. Instead it focuses on other Malaysian animals such as the long-tailed macaque also known as the monkey. These cheeky primates are common in Penang’s parks and less developed areas. They live in groups. Approaching them with babies can be dangerous. Avoid eye contact or showing teeth. They are generally harmless but a bite requires immediate treatment to prevent Hepatitis B. Don’t feed wild animals. It makes them used to humans. This causes harm to both them and us. Then there is the dusky langur. Also called the dusky leaf monkey. These are possibly the cutest. They have a round soft black face white circles around their eyes and a cute white mouth patch. Unlike the macaques they are not aggressive. They forage for leaves high in the canopy. Spotting them is not easy. They hide in higher trees. Their cuteness threatens their population. People illegally remove them to keep as pets. This is against the law in Malaysia. You could go to jail and pay a huge fine. Dusky langurs are spread across Penang especially in jungles around Penang Hill. The Langur Project Penang has a canopy bridge. It helps primates cross the busy coastal road. Seeing a group with a mum and her orange baby is lucky. Penang is also home to other animals such as the Sunda colugo. It glides between trees. It is an accomplished gliding animal with peculiar features. The Sunda slow loris is another animal. It is a venomous mammal. It has a secretion it licks from under its armpit before biting. This venomous bite can cause lethal allergic reactions. The red giant flying squirrel is easy to spot on Penang Hill. It glides at night. The monitor lizard is another inhabitant. Some individuals can measure up to three meters. Penang’s sea waters also have dolphins. You might spot Irrawaddy dolphins Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins or finless porpoises. The common palm civet is also present. It makes noises at night. It smells like pandan leaves. The common treeshrew is a close relative of primates. It is monogamous and pairs for life. The smooth-coated otter is another animal you might see. The wild boar is found deep in the forests. Mothers with piglets can be dangerous. The white bellied sea eagle and the Bhraminy kite are also common birds. So while there’s no mention of a Tiger Monkey many other fascinating animals call Penang home. Remember to respect their habitat and observe them from a safe distance.