Proboscis monkey photos

Proboscis monkey photos

Proboscis monkeys are endemic to the low lying coastal swamps of Borneo. One of the most important population thrives in Tanjung Puting national park where you’ll see so many that it’s easy to forget quite how endangered these primates are. Every evening, small groups gather in the tree tops next to a river, so heading out by boat offers the best chance to get close. Although dusk is good, some of my favourite encounters have been in the very early morning, when the mist clings to the surface of the water. We have daily sightings on my Borneo orangutan wildlife holidays run in partnership with the Orangutan Foundation UK. where I guarantee you’ll return home with a large amount of proboscis monkey photos. Here’s a few Proboscis monkey photos from previous Borneo trips.

Proboscis monkey information – key facts

Common name – Proboscis monkey; Latin name – Nasalis larvatus

Size/weight – Males: up to 75 cm/22kg; Females: up to 60cm/15kg

Lifespan – up to 20 years

Gestation – 166 days with one offspring born

Group name – Harem

Distribution – Borneo

IUCN red list status – endangered

Proboscis monkey information  – habitat

Proboscis monkeys are endemic to Borneo, rarely straying far from the island’s low lying coastal forest swamps and rivers. Every evening small groups gather in the treetops adjacent to rivers where they’ll spend the night, so heading out by boat usually affords great sightings. Some of the best places to see and photograph these primates are:

Indonesian Borneo – Tanjung Puting National Park

Malaysian Borneo – Baku National Park; Danum Valley wildlife reserve; Labuk Bay Proboscis sanctuary.

Brunei – Brunei river near Bandar Seri Begawan

Proboscis monkey information – behaviour

Proboscis monkeys are highly arboreal, spending nearly their entire lives in trees. Occasionally they come down to swim across rivers or forage on the forest floor. Typically living in small groups consisting of one dominant male and up to eight females with their offspring. Rival harems are often seen quite close to each other along rivers where they come to sleep high in trees. Male proboscis monkeys are well endowed in the nasal department with bigger noses than any other primate. Reaching up to 17cm long, their impressive conks are so large that sometimes they need to push them out of their way while they eat. Along with being a desirable asset to impress females, their noses also have another use, as when threatened they use them to amplify their warning call.

One of the great pleasures of watching Proboscis monkeys is seeing them lead from tree to tree. Usually they’ll move through the forest in a ‘follow the leader’ routine often making spectacular leaps of faith. You might also witness them hurling themselves into rivers and paddling frantically to the other side. With webbed feet and hands, they are one of the world’s best primate swimmers enabling them to outpace crocodiles which are their main predators.

Watching Proboscis Monkeys in Borneo: A Wildlife Encounter Like No Other

When people think of Borneo’s wildlife, orangutans often steal the spotlight — and understandably so. But tucked among the mangroves and riverbanks of this extraordinary island lives another primate that’s just as unforgettable: the proboscis monkey.

With their comically long noses, potbellied frames, and clumsy elegance, proboscis monkeys are unlike anything else you’ll ever see in the wild. Watching them in their natural habitat is not only a joy — it’s a true privilege. And for photographers, it’s an incredible opportunity to capture authentic proboscis monkey photos in a truly wild setting.

🐒 The World’s Most Distinctive Monkey

The males have oversized noses that droop over their mouths, making a low honking sound when they call. Their pot-bellied torsos, webbed feet, and odd, almost cartoonish proportions often provoke laughter — but make no mistake, these are complex, intelligent primates with a unique place in Borneo’s ecosystem.
Their strange appearance isn’t random: that belly helps ferment tough mangrove leaves, and the nose plays a role in attracting mates and vocal communication. It’s no wonder so many photographers and nature lovers go out of their way to get memorable proboscis monkey photos — they’re simply fascinating to watch and shoot.

🌿 Where and How to Watch Them

One of the best places to see proboscis monkeys is along the rivers of Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo — where I’ve been leading wildlife photography tours for over 15 years in partnership with Orangutan Foundation UK. At sunrise and sunset, these monkeys gather at the river’s edge to feed, leap between trees, and settle into sleeping spots. Watching them from a traditional klotok riverboat, you drift silently along the water, camera in hand, while entire families of proboscis monkeys move through the trees just metres away.
This setting allows for incredible proboscis monkey photos, especially during golden hour, with reflections on the water and natural behavior unfolding in front of you.

📸 Photographing Proboscis Monkeys: Beauty in Motion

As a wildlife photographer, proboscis monkeys are an irresistible subject. Their expressive faces, fluid leaping poses, and interactions within family groups make for powerful storytelling images. Whether you’re photographing them for a portfolio or simply documenting your journey, proboscis monkey photos are always a highlight of any Borneo wildlife adventure.

Some tips:

Use a long lens  to capture details without disturbing behaviour

Aim for backlit shots at sunrise for dramatic silhouettes

Watch for leaps between trees — they’re surprisingly acrobatic.

What I love most is the challenge — unlike more stationary animals, proboscis monkeys are often on the move, which keeps you sharp and fully present.

🧠 Social Lives and Quirky Behaviour

Proboscis monkeys live in harem groups — one dominant male, several females, and their offspring — or all-male bachelor troops. Watching their interactions offers real insight into primate behaviour.

You’ll see grooming rituals, juveniles play-fighting, mums with young babies clinging to their bellies and occasionally, a dramatic dispute between rival males
These moments make for some of the most expressive and emotional proboscis monkey photos, where behavior and connection take centre stage.

🌏 Endangered, and Endearing

Sadly, like so much of Borneo’s wildlife, proboscis monkeys are under threat. Habitat loss from palm oil plantations and development has shrunk their range, and their population continues to decline. But In Tanjung Puting you’ll forget how endangered they are as this national park is home to a thriving population with daily sightings virtually guaranteed. Capturing and sharing proboscis monkey photos helps tell their story — and raise awareness of the need to protect Borneo’s rich ecosystems. By joining responsible ecotours like ours — where a portion of profits supports Orangutan Foundation UK’s conservation projects — you’re helping protect these unique primates and the forests they call home.

✨ Why This Encounter Stays With You

Watching proboscis monkeys is not dramatic in the way a lion chase or gorilla chest-beat might be. It’s quiet, funny, moving, and often surprisingly personal.
It’s about sitting in silence on a boat, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest, and hearing the splash as one dives into the river. It’s about catching their curious gaze and realizing that, for a moment, your worlds overlap. And it’s about walking away with more than just great proboscis monkey photos — it’s a deeper connection to Borneo’s incredible biodiversity, and the drive to help protect it.

📸 Want to experience this for yourself?
Join me on a small-group Borneo wildlife and orangutan photography tour, where you’ll photograph not only proboscis monkeys, but orangutans, macaques, hornbills, and more — all while supporting vital conservation.

💚 Profits go to Orangutan Foundation UK
🌿 Small groups (max 8), expert guidance, ethical wildlife encounters