Fauna of Borneo facts for kids

Orang Utan (Pongo pygmaeus) is among the most iconic animals of Borneo and the flagship of rainforest conservation in South-East Asia.

Borneo is the third largest island in the world. Long ago, in prehistoric times, Borneo was connected to mainland Asia. But then, during the ice ages, the land changed, and Borneo became an island. This separation caused some animals to disappear, while others evolved into new species found only on Borneo.

Borneo's amazing tropical rainforest is like a giant apartment building for animals! It has many different "rooms" or "niches" where various animals can live without competing too much. Animals avoid fighting for food or space by eating different things, living at different heights in the forest, or being active at different times (day or night). For example, animals like birds and mammals can be found in six main "floors" of the rainforest:

• The first floor is the forest ground and underground, used by small mammals and birds.
• The second floor is the main ground level, where large plant-eating and meat-eating animals search for food and shelter.
• The third floor includes animals that climb up and down tree trunks, from the ground to the treetops. These are often omnivores or meat-eaters.
• The fourth floor is the middle part of the trees, mainly used by flying mammals like bats and many birds.
• The fifth floor is the very top of the trees, where birds and mammals feed on leaves, fruits, nectar, and insects.
• The sixth floor is the open air above the treetops, used by fast-flying birds and bats.

Amazing Animals of Borneo

Insects and Other Invertebrates

Butterfly

Borneo is home to many tiny creatures, including a huge variety of insects! For example, there are hundreds of different kinds of ants living in places like Poring, Sabah. These small animals play a very important role in the rainforest's health.

Fish

Borneo's freshwater rivers and streams are full of life. There are nearly 400 different kinds of freshwater fish here. About 150 of these fish species are found nowhere else in the world!

Amphibians

Hylarana raniceps

You can find about 100 different types of amphibians in Borneo. One very special amphibian is the Bornean flat-headed frog. This unique frog lives in cold, fast-flowing mountain streams. It's the only known frog in the world that doesn't have lungs! It breathes through its skin instead.

Reptiles

Lizard

Borneo is home to many reptiles, including 105 different kinds of lizards. You can also find some very large snakes here. The reticulated python, for example, is the longest snake in the world! It can grow to be 6 meters (about 20 feet) long or even more. Some have been found to be over 10 meters (33 feet) long!

Birds

Kingfisher

About 600 different species of birds live in Borneo. That's a lot of birds! Out of these, 37 species are endemic, meaning they are found only on Borneo and nowhere else on Earth.

Mammals

Rhinolophus arcuatus

Borneo has a rich variety of mammals. There are 288 different kinds of land mammals. The most common types are bats (with 102 species) and rodents like rats and mice (with 61 species). An amazing 44 of these mammal species are found only on Borneo. The waters around Borneo are also home to 91 different types of marine mammals, like dolphins and whales. You can find a full list of these animals in the Mammals of Borneo article.

How Deforestation Affects Animals

Sadly, a lot of the rainforest in Borneo is being cut down very quickly. This destruction of habitats means many animals are losing their homes. Because of this, many species are becoming endangered, like the Bornean orangutan. Some are even critically endangered, like the Borneo elephant, meaning they are very close to disappearing forever. Protecting these forests is crucial to saving Borneo's amazing wildlife.