Wild Fact #933 – Everything You Want to Nose About the Proboscis Monkey
Photo Compliments of http://Visit50.com
What is the first thing that you notice from the above picture of the Proboscis Monkey? I am going to go out on a limb and guess that you noticed the very large nose! Am I right? Of course, “proboscis” is a fancy way of saying “large nose”. I have said it before and I will say it again, scientists who name these animals are not very creative.
Since the nose is so obvious, I guess today’s Wild Fact will talk about it. Anyone know why the proboscis monkey requires such a large nose? For their super monkey sense of smell you say? So they can sniff out some yummy fruit from about 20 kilometers away? Actually, believe it or not the proboscis monkey does not have a better sense of smell than other monkey’s with much smaller noses. Crazy, eh? So what can they be used for? Would you believe me if I told you that these noses drive the women proboscis monkey’s wild! It is true, one of the uses for such a large nose is to attract a suitable mate. Just like the antler’s of a bull moose, the nose of a proboscis monkey displays that monkey’s status. This monkey’s nose can get as large as 7 inches. The males have larger noses than females and the older males have larger noses than the young males, just like moose antlers.
Not only is this nose a status symbol but it is also capable of amplifying sound. When the monkey is threatened the blood will rush to the nose and acutally cause this already large nose to swell. This swelling allows the nose to act as a resonating chamber which will amplify this particular monkey’s warning calls. So this large nose actually helps warn other proboscis monkey’s about impending danger and attracts female proboscis monkey’s. Who would have thought?
Proboscis Monkey Fast Fact: The proboscis monkey is only found on the South Asian Island of Borneo. This monkey actually loves to swim and is a very proficient swimmer. When this monkey wades in the water it will actually do so in an upright fashion. From time to time the proboscis monkey will continue to walk upright when it leaves the water. Other than gibbons and giant pangolins this is the only other non-human mammal to walk upright for any amount of time. Can you say evolution?
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November 24th, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Their fur looks like velvet. What a beautiful animal. I would love to see them playing in the water.
Hump Day Wednesday tomorrow Nathan – what will you dream up for us then?
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Nathan Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Their fur does kinda look like velvet, doesn’t it. I think seeing these guys swimming or just hanging out would be pretty cool. It is too bad their population has dwindled to very low numbers.
I hope the hump day post will be everything you are looking for!
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November 24th, 2009 at 11:31 AM
This is such a great site. I learn something everytime I come here. Who would have thought about a monkey with a huge nose. Poor thing, it isn’t very pretty but I guess it has a good use.
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Nathan Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Thank you for the kind words. I am glad you get a chance to learn something new. That is something I love about the blogging world. There is always a chance to learn about something completely different every day!
The nose on this monkey may not look cute to us…. but to the other monkey’s… Wow! Look out!
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November 24th, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Very interesting and fun stopping by your blog. I’ve learned quite a bit about a lot of different species I never knew about.
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Nathan Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 7:10 PM
I love the fact that people are able to learn some new details about the animal world. It makes me feel like this blog is serving its purpose.
Thanks for visiting!
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November 24th, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Well buddy you knew I would comment since I adore monkeys. I can see why they would be good at swimming. Look at the front legs on it????? They look like flippers.
Any of the old timers out there would agree with me that he shares something in common with Jimmy Durante (nick name…Schnozzola). For all those that haven’t heard of Jimmy Durante…look up a picture of him.
Nathan are there any interesting facts on the Blue Heron that you may be able to do a fact on? I’m sure many people have seen them and interested in them.
Thanks!
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Nathan Reply:
November 24th, 2009 at 7:28 PM
I was thinking of you when I was writing up the post about a monkey. I know you have been wanting a fact about monkey’s for awhile so this one was for you. The feet of the proboscis monkey do have some webbing to allow for better swimming ability. Good catch!
Apparently you are not the only one who thought that Jimmy Durante looks like a proboscis monkey. When searching for his picture (since I had no idea who Jimmy Durante was) I came across this photo:
http://mebelki.zoni.pl/dni/2009.03.24/Jimmy_Durante.jpg
So you would like a fact on the Blue Heron, eh? I will see what I can do in the near future.
I hope you enjoyed the monkey post!
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November 25th, 2009 at 3:19 AM
Jimmy Durante, I thought he looked like Gonzo Muppet! But I guess I don’t qualify in the old timer classification…right Candy!
Great post Nathan. He certainly looks powerful.
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Nathan Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 6:42 PM
hahaha! Gonzo was one of my favourite muppets! Oh yeah, I also liked the Swedish Chef!!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
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November 25th, 2009 at 8:50 AM
I think it is amazing how animals have these odd features that are a result of evolution and adaptation to their environments. Ever since Planet Earth became popular, I have been interested in learning about different animals. It seems like each animal has their own unique feature that attracts/compels the opposite sex and each animal has a unique defense system. In comparison to this monkey, human beings seem dull! I love how everything is so natural with animals, so very primitive. I wonder what humans would be like if we were not socially evolved and intelligent with a free will. What would a human look/act like if he or she were primitive? Interesting thing to think about. I automatically think Frankenstein.
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Nathan Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 6:50 PM
This is a great perspective and I have often thought about the same sort of thing. It absolutely amazes me how all animals have adapted to their environments. If their adaptations are not successful then that species will unfortunately die out to the more successful species. It is absolutely incredible.
It would be interesting to see what humans would be like if were not so evolved and intelligent but this goes against evolution. The fact is that we have evolved to be this incredibly intelligent and social animal. We may seem dull compared to some monkey species but at the same time we have done of a lot of incredible things (i.e. stepping foot on the moon). Eventually, we will either continue to evolve successfully or our species will be replaced by another. It is a fascinating process and I wish I could live forever just to witness the changes through time.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write up such an intriguing comment. I love when you get me thinking like this!
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November 30th, 2009 at 7:54 PM
I see you found another photo of dad lounging around again.
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Nathan Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 6:27 PM
hahaha!
There are many photos of dad lounging around. There is a resemblance between the monkey and dad, isn’t there. Obviously, the monkey has more hair though!
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June 28th, 2011 at 9:25 PM
I liked the photo at the top of the page, with it wrapped around the tree. I wanted to introduce you to my website section devoted to Proboscis Monkeys, which includes my recent 2011 proboscis monkey photography that you might enjoy:
http://50and50by50.com/2011/06/borneo-proboscis-monkey-up-close/
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Nathan Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Hey ToddCo,
Thanks for the link to your incredible website. The photos are absolutely amazing.
I highly recommend everyone to check out this link. You will definitely not regret it.
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July 27th, 2011 at 6:50 AM
Thanks Nathan! My website just moved – it’s now at http://Visit50.com.
The site focuses on my adventures through Asia, with photography of orangutans, elephants, macaque monkeys, tarsiers, sharks, and more! I’m in the middle of a redesign but I’m interested to hear what you think.
-ToddCo
http://Visit50.com
PS – the direct link to the Proboscis Monkeys post is now located at:
http://Visit50.com/2011/06/borneo-proboscis-monkey-up-close/
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Nathan Reply:
July 27th, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Hey ToddCo!
The new site is looking good. It looks like you had quite an adventure through Asia. You have a ton of amazing photos and I recommend everyone reading this should check them out.
You must have some amazing stories from your journey. I think I will go and browse Visit50.com a little more.
Thanks for the update!
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