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Mammals
While less numerous than other classes of animals found in Bang Kachao, among the mammal species present are otters and a variety of bats, rats, squirrels and tree shrews.
Click on a photo to learn more about the animal.
Smooth-coated otter.
Smooth-coated otter
The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is a freshwater species native to South and Southwest Asia, with most found in Southeast Asia. It is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, wetland pollution, and poaching. This otter has relatively smooth, short fur and inhabits regions in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and isolated areas in Iraq.
Preferring areas with abundant freshwater, such as wetlands, rivers, lakes, and rice paddies, smooth-coated otters can also be found in coastal saltwater areas. They live in groups of up to 11, resting on sandy riverbanks and creating dens under tree roots or among boulders. They are primarily diurnal, with a midday rest period, and mark their territory by urinating and sprainting on rocks or vegetation. Communication is achieved through vocalizations like whistles, chirps, and wails.
Their diet mainly consists of fish, such as Trichogaster, climbing gourami, and catfish, but also includes rats, snakes, amphibians, and insects. During the rice planting season, they hunt rats in the fields.
Preferring areas with abundant freshwater, such as wetlands, rivers, lakes, and rice paddies, smooth-coated otters can also be found in coastal saltwater areas. They live in groups of up to 11, resting on sandy riverbanks and creating dens under tree roots or among boulders. They are primarily diurnal, with a midday rest period, and mark their territory by urinating and sprainting on rocks or vegetation. Communication is achieved through vocalizations like whistles, chirps, and wails.
Their diet mainly consists of fish, such as Trichogaster, climbing gourami, and catfish, but also includes rats, snakes, amphibians, and insects. During the rice planting season, they hunt rats in the fields.
Northern treeshrew
The Northern Treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri) is found across mainland Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore, it is replaced by the Common Treeshrew (Tupaia glis).
It inhabits various environments like dense forests, karst forests, forest edges, and disturbed areas such as parks and gardens, from lowlands to mountains. Mostly terrestrial, it occasionally climbs low vegetation and fallen trees.
With a typical treeshrew shape, it has a long, slender tail and dextrous hands. Its fur ranges from brown to olive, sometimes reddish in the north, with grizzled bands on individual hairs. A narrow, pale stripe marks each shoulder.
This adaptable mammal has a diverse diet including insects, spiders, small lizards, buds, and fruits. It nests in tree holes, fallen trees, and bamboo cavities.
Besides humans, the northern treeshrew is the only mammal known to willingly consume spicy food.
It inhabits various environments like dense forests, karst forests, forest edges, and disturbed areas such as parks and gardens, from lowlands to mountains. Mostly terrestrial, it occasionally climbs low vegetation and fallen trees.
With a typical treeshrew shape, it has a long, slender tail and dextrous hands. Its fur ranges from brown to olive, sometimes reddish in the north, with grizzled bands on individual hairs. A narrow, pale stripe marks each shoulder.
This adaptable mammal has a diverse diet including insects, spiders, small lizards, buds, and fruits. It nests in tree holes, fallen trees, and bamboo cavities.
Besides humans, the northern treeshrew is the only mammal known to willingly consume spicy food.
Brown rat
The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), also known as the common rat, is a widespread species found globally except Antarctica.
It is one of the largest muroids, reaching up to 28 cm in body length, with a slightly shorter tail, and weighing between 140 and 500 g. Originating from northern China, it now thrives in urban areas worldwide, often alongside human populations.
It is one of the largest muroids, reaching up to 28 cm in body length, with a slightly shorter tail, and weighing between 140 and 500 g. Originating from northern China, it now thrives in urban areas worldwide, often alongside human populations.
Lyle's flying fox
Lyle's flying fox (Pteropus lylei) is a vulnerable species found in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yunnan, China. Persecuted by farmers and hunted for bushmeat, IUCN lists its conservation status as 'vulnerable'.
With a fox-like face, large eyes, and orange collar, it roosts in forests, mangroves, and plantations. Its diet includes mango, cashew, and other fruits, aiding in seed dispersal. These bats forage nocturnally and may travel up to 50 km between roosts. During the day, the colony is active, with mothers caring for their young.
With a fox-like face, large eyes, and orange collar, it roosts in forests, mangroves, and plantations. Its diet includes mango, cashew, and other fruits, aiding in seed dispersal. These bats forage nocturnally and may travel up to 50 km between roosts. During the day, the colony is active, with mothers caring for their young.
Finlayson's squirrel
Finlayson's squirrel (Callosciurus finlaysonii) is a rodent found in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Named after naturalist George Finlayson, it inhabits various wooded areas, including urban gardens. With a head-and-body length of around 21–22 cm and a tail length of 22–24 cm, it mainly dwells in the canopy, feeding on fruit. This squirrel likely has dichromatic color vision, aiding in fruit selection.
Named after naturalist George Finlayson, it inhabits various wooded areas, including urban gardens. With a head-and-body length of around 21–22 cm and a tail length of 22–24 cm, it mainly dwells in the canopy, feeding on fruit. This squirrel likely has dichromatic color vision, aiding in fruit selection.
Greater short-nosed fruit bat
The greater short-nosed fruit bat (Cynopterus sphinx), also known as the short-nosed Indian fruit bat, belongs to the family Pteropodidae and is native to South and Southeast Asia.
This species ranges from Pakistan to Vietnam and is commonly found in tropical forests, fruit cultivation areas, grasslands, and mangrove forests. These bats typically roost high in palm trees, where they create simple tents by chewing the palm fronds. In the absence of palm trees, they construct tents using interwoven leaves and twigs from creeping vines on buildings.
Pallas' squirrel
Pallas's squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus), also known as the red-bellied tree squirrel, is native to China, Taiwan, India, and Southeast Asia. It inhabits various forest environments below 3,000 meters, including tropical and subtropical evergreen, deciduous broadleaf, and subalpine conifer woodlands across southeastern Asia, from eastern India to southern and eastern China, including Hainan.
Primarily herbivorous, Pallas's squirrels consume a variety of leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits, with diets varying across their range. They occasionally eat insects and bird eggs.
Primarily herbivorous, Pallas's squirrels consume a variety of leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits, with diets varying across their range. They occasionally eat insects and bird eggs.
Dogs
There are a LOT of dogs across Bang Kachao. Their bark is much worse than their bite - but do be aware if you're there at night as they will be more territorial.
Domestic cat
Abundant on the island and a likely food source for pythons,
Polynesian rat
The Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans), also known as the Pacific rat or little rat, is the third most widespread rat species globally, following the brown rat and black rat. Despite its common name, it originated in Southeast Asia and has spread across much of Polynesia, including New Zealand, Easter Island, and Hawaii. Like its relatives, the Polynesian rat is highly adaptable, thriving in various environments, from grasslands to forests. It is often closely associated with human habitation, benefiting from easy access to food, and has become a significant pest in many regions where it has established itself.
Domestic water buffalo
The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), also known as the domestic or Asian water buffalo, is a large bovine species native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Today, it is also raised in various regions, including Italy, the Balkans, Australia, North and South America, and some African countries. There are two recognized types of water buffalo, distinguished by their physical and behavioral characteristics: the river buffalo, found in the Indian subcontinent and extending westward to the Balkans, Egypt, and Italy, and the swamp buffalo, which ranges from Assam through Southeast Asia to the Yangtze Valley in China. Water buffaloes are particularly well-suited for working in rice fields, and their milk contains higher fat and protein content compared to that of dairy cattle.
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