Our last post from our little holiday to Pangkor Laut….animals of Pangkor Laut.
The jungle on Pangkor Laut Island is close to 2 million years old…TWO MILLION. We took a trek through the forest with a naturalist guide and learned so much….but not adding any more monkey facts!!!
Malaysian Fruit Bats
The Malaysian Fruit Bat are second in size only to the bats in Australia. Each morning they make their way to the same tree, make a bunch of screeching noises, and settle in upside down wrapped in their wings. Then at dusk, then make another ruckus and fly off in search of fruit…mostly the almond nut. It is rather amazing to see them all congregate in one tree. The naturalist shared an interesting fact…when the temperature gets a bit too hot, the bats will urinate on themselves to stay cool. If you happen to wander under the bat tree, you may also be cooled off but perhaps not in the manner you would have preferred. They are rather harmless to humans.
Water Monitor Lizards
Malaysian Water Monitor Lizards are second in size to the Komodo Dragon in Indonesia. But unlike the Komodo, Monitor Lizards are rather harmless to humans….unless you messed with them. They get BIG…up to 200 lbs, and when they lay on the sand they look like alligators. In the early morning, the Monitors go hunting for food: crabs, snakes, rodents, fish, birds, even carrion. Then they crawl up onto the sand and just lie there to digest…they look nine months pregnant. By the end of the day their stomach is back to the regular size and off they go to hunt again. They are very good swimmers. They are able to lift up their dorsal spines and use their tail to propel forward. They can hold their breath for about 5 minutes. We saw one swimming and decided that beach was not for us. They also hunt on land and can actually run quite fast.
Green Tree Viper
Also known as a Pit Viper, “affectionately” called the 100 Pace Snake, if bitten you have about 100 steps before you keel over dead. Walking along the jungle trail, our guide, Heidi and I plus the young boy behind us all walked by the viper without even noticing it. The next person in line said, “Oh, look, a snake.” And there on a branch was a Green Tree Viper. They are rather docile and won’t bother you unless bothered first. We decided not to bother it, but our guide touched it with a stick and it barely moved. There are many things in this jungle that can do harm to you. Wouldn’t want to spend a night lost out here.
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Finally an animal that doesn’t scare us..unless it is hungry. The Oriental Pied Hornbill is quite amazing. They are native to the island and like the seagulls back home have learned to live with humans. They visited us once while we were eating lunch. Heidi was enjoying her French Fries when all of a sudden a rather large Hornbill landed on a chair behind her and started giving her “the eye”. Heidi was rather hungry and preferred to not share. Once rebuffed, the Hornbill tried another tactic…fly over Heidi and try to grab the fry. Heidi was way too quick for him (told you she was hungry) so he flew off to find an easier meal. Hornbills mate for life. Rather a cool bird.
Below are just a few misc. pics from the resort.
That’s it for our trip to Pangkor Laut.
Our Adventures 
Wow, you are having quite an adventure! I think you might need to host your own travel show. I’m a bit concerned about Heidi being attacked by monkeys, birds and other critters. You take care, girl!!!
I’m in Mexico, but have only been attacked by 3 bugs – thank goodness! Enjoy!
Hello Sue,
It has been quite an adventure but it’s work, work, work now…been spending long hours at school. Two more weeks and we have new teacher orientation…school starts Aug 14. Not going to have much blogging time for awhile. Hope you are enjoying you time in Mexico.
Adios,
Bob-
Funny, I don’t mind sleeping in a forest with grizzly bears and wolves or walking across prairies known for the number of rattlesnakes they contain, but that jungle wildlife freaks me out!
Good job for Heidi not giving in to the power of “the eye”.
Yeah, give me cougars and wolves any day…and I didn’t even show pictures of the plants and insects. There is this caterpillar that secretes cyanide poison, stinging red ants, poisonous spiders galore, spiked vines everywhere (believe me, Tarzan did no swinging in this jungle unless he wore Kevlar gloves)
Scary, but fascinating place.
B-
Bob and Heidi- I love reading your posts. What an education you are receiving on the country and culture. Glad to see they have French fries… just in case the only thing left on the menu is seafood, right Heidi?
Hi Robin,
Good to hear from you. You would be proud of Heidi…she drove yesterday…just in the school parking, but she drove. A co-teacher let her drive her little Myvi…it’s a Malaysian car and cute as can be. Once we get our work permits then we can purchase a car….we’ll take a picture of it.
We hope you are having a wonderful summer!!!
heidi and bob-