Mammals of Borneo: Kinabalu National Park

03

January, 2017

Wildlife
Animals
Travel
Borneo

The mammals of Borneo include 288 species of terrestrial and 91 species of marine mammals recorded within the entirety of Borneo Island. The terrestrial mammals are dominated by the chiroptera (102 species of bats) and rodents (61 species of rats and mice)

The high diversity and endemicity of mammals is related to the many niches found in the tropical rainforest of Borneo and past Pleistocene events within the Sundaland region. During inter glacial and post-glacial periods, there was migration of animals from the Asian Mainland into Borneo and into Sulawesi via the Philippines. Due to lack of favorable habitats and small founder population, some species of animals have become extinct and others have radiated into endemic species.

Overview of The Mammals of Kinabalu National Park

Approximately 100 species of Mammals have been recorded in Kinabalu National Park. 21 of the number are bats. Lowland fauna group has the highest number of species, with maximum specie richness at about 1300M altitude of small mammal species, about 1200M for species that move in the tress and bout 1400M for species that mover overland. This is an area where many species overlap because of changes in climate and vegetation of lowland with vegetation of the mountains.