Widlife Watching

If you're a visitor to this country looking to watch or photograph wildlife, perhaps even for herping, you've come to the right place. Malaysia is one of the richest spots for mammals, reptiles and amphibians in Southeast Asia. However, not all places guarantee spotting herpefauna or other wildlife. Much of it depends on how secluded and pristine the area is. If it's constantly visited by people, don't expect to see many animals. Consequently, the more harsh and less accessible the terrain is, the higher the chances. This is usually the case, though there are exceptions.

About entering the forest - During the rainy season, be prepared to get caught in heavy rain while trekking. Long pants are essential to avoid getting scratched by surrounding vegetation and thorny vines. Torchlights and head lamps go without saying, with those having powerful light beams being an obvious choice. Avoid head lamps and torches that use white LEDs as they tend to attract tiny winged insects that will swarm around your head or hand. If you're lugging a camera along, keep a waterproof bag, like a ziplock, to hold it in just in case it rains.

The best time to begin your forest exploration starts from the late evening onwards, as most Malaysian wildlife is nocturnal. During or after rainfall, the forest bursts with life, indicating a prime opportunity to spot a wide range of animals. The forest will be alive with the sounds of various creatures calling. Still, the dry seasons can yield surprising results, but you need to know where to look if order to find wildlife. Follow the rivers or streams as this where they usually concentrate in times of great heat.

To optimise your wildlife watching chances - Walk slowly and pay careful attention to your surroundings. Arboreal snakes can be perched on vines, branches or leaves, sometimes not very high off the ground while terrestial species are usually found slithering on the forest bed or resting among rocks and wooden vessels. Frogs and toads can be traced by their call, whether by the stream or in the forest. Sleeping agamids (Most are diurnal) can often be found clasping thin plants, shoots or broad leaves during the night. Geckos, on the other hand, are often found among the root hollows of large trees, among foliage or on large rocks across hill slopes.

Mammals can be traced by the reflective gleam in their eyes when shone upon. Be very quiet and alert your other party members discreetly when you spot a mammal, as they are easily spooked by loud noises. At the first sign of danger, animals such as flying squirrels, slow lorises and civet cats will take up to the forest canopy and wait for the danger to subside. But of course, since they will be very high up, photographing them can prove incredibly tough even with a telephoto zoom lens and strong flash gun. If you spook mammals on the ground, they will scurry quickly away on foot through the thick jungle, leaving you in the dust. Always remember to keep a low profile if finding mammals is your aim.

Road cruising is a trick often employed by herpers around the world. Roads that cut directly through primary rainforest areas are often hotbeds for spotting wildlife, especially reptiles and amphibians as these animals need to cross into different areas from either side. A good night for spotting wildlife can usually be told by the amount of road kill on the road. With a vehicle, drive slowly with your lights on and keep an eye out for animals crossing. After rainfall and where there is no presence of a moon (dark night), there is usually a much higher chance of spotting wildlife on the road.