7 original primates from Indonesia

Indonesia is rich in biodiversity both in flora and fauna. One of the many fauna species found is primates. It is estimated there are 200 species of primates in the world, of which 40 species or almost 25 percent are in Indonesia. Maybe some of you, just know Orangutans as primates endemic (native) Indonesia, but there are other primates originating from Indonesia.

(1) Orang utan

Orangutans are a kind of great ape with long arms and reddish fur. Orangutans include two sub-species, namely Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) and the Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus). Orangutans have close kinship with humans, where DNA similarity is 96.4%. The palms of their hands have 4 long fingers plus 1 thumb. The soles of their feet also have the arrangement of fingers that are very similar to humans. Unfortunately these animals are becoming extinct due to poaching and their habitats are dwindling. That's why these animals belong to protected animals.

(2) Tarsius

These small primates are often referred to as the smallest monkeys in the world, though these animals are not monkeys. There are at least 9 types of Tarsius in the world. 2 species are in the Philippines while the remaining 7 species are found in Sulawesi Indonesia. The best known are the two types found in Indonesia namely Tarsius tarsier and Tarsius pumilus. All types of tarsiers include rare and protected animals in Indonesia. Tarsier has a length of about 10-15 cm with a weight of about 80 grams. Even Tarsius pumilus or Pygmy tertiary which is the smallest type of tarsius only has a body length between 93-98 millimeters and weight 57 grams.

(3) Kedih

Compared to some other primates, Kedih is less well known. Nevertheless, Kedih already has many foreign nicknames. such as North Sumatran Leaf Monkey, Sumatran Grizzled Langur, Thomas's Langur, Thomas's Langur, or Thomas's Leaf Monkey. Kedih was originally found in northern Sumatra and Aceh, near the Simpangkiri and Wampu Rivers. Kedih has the color of black and white fur coat and calm expression sometimes almost melancholy. Similar to the case of other endangered species in Sumatra, Kedih is also threatened by the loss of habitats that are converted into oil palm or illegal logging.

(4) Lutung jawa

Lutung jawa, in Latin called Trachypithecus auratus is one type of endemic Lutung in Indonesia. Like other Lutung species, Lutung jawa has a small body size, about 55 cm, with a tail that reaches 80 cm. Lutung jawa's hair is black and female ebony has silvery hairs around the genitals. The young Lutung jawa has an orange feather. Lutung jawa live in groups. Each group consists of about 7 - 20 Lutung with a male as a group leader and some adult female elders.

(5) Owa jawa

Owa jawa (Hylobates moloch) is a small, tailless species with gray hair. This animal has a small body slim compared to other types of monkeys, the movement was agile to make Javanese gibbons look flirtatious. Unfortunately, Owa jawa is a rare and almost extinct animal. These animals include true tree monkeys, since most of the time these primates never descend from the top of the tree. Uniquely, although known as the king of the tree, the Owa jawa actually includes an ape that runs erect alias not using the four arms and legs, but rely on both legs to walk.

(6) Yaki

This animal can be found in northern Sulawesi and some islands around it. Yaki has black fur and has a crest on his head. Height of about 44-60 centimeters, weight about 7-15 kilograms. Daily food is the various parts of plants, such as leaves, shoots, seeds, flowers, tubers, and fruit. It also eats some types of insects, molluscs, small invertebrates, even snakes. This animal is threatened with extinction because of local people who hunt Yaki to eat. In addition to being a meal, Yaki is also traded in a number of markets in Minahasa and Tomohon.

(7) Kukang

Based on the ecology and its distribution, there are three species of lemurs in Indonesia namely the Java Loris (Nycticebus javanicus), Kukang Sumatera (Nycticebus coucang), and Kukang Kalimantan (Nycticebus menagensis). There are two ways you can do to distinguish the three types. First, from weight. The Java loris weighs about 900 grams, while the Sumatran loris is about 700 grams, and the Kukang Kalimantan is about 600 grams. Second, based on its characteristics. The Java loris has a bright hump that is more beautiful when compared to the Sumatran and Bornean brown lorises. Of the three types of lorises, the Java loris is an endangered animal.