Danum Valley Conservation Area

🇲🇾 Malaysia

🐸 Wallace's Flying Frog Gliding Overhead
🌍 #83 Global · 4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #5 in Southeast Asia #35 in Tropical Forest
Southeast Asia, Malaysia 1017 spp. recorded

Danum Valley Conservation Area is a vast lowland rainforest situated in the eastern region of Sabah, Malaysia. This ancient jungle features dense canopy layers, towering dipterocarp trees, and muddy earthen trails winding through steep river valleys, distinguishing it from fragmented secondary forests nearby.

4.960° N   117.719° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Bornean Orangutan ★
CR Endemic

Bornean Orangutan

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Pongo pygmaeus

40–50% · Likely
Maroon Leaf Monkey ★
VU Endemic

Maroon Leaf Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Presbytis rubicunda

70–80% · Very likely
Helmeted Hornbill ★
CR Endemic

Helmeted Hornbill

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Rhinoplax vigil

20–30% · With luck
Horsfield's Tarsier ★
VU

Horsfield's Tarsier

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cephalopachus bancanus

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

File-eared Tree Frog
LC

File-eared Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Polypedates otilophus

70–80% · Very likely
Borneo Forest Dragon
LC

Borneo Forest Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonocephalus bornensis

60–70% · Likely
Rhinoceros Hornbill
VU Endemic

Rhinoceros Hornbill

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Buceros rhinoceros

50–60% · Likely
Little Spiderhunter
LC

Little Spiderhunter

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Arachnothera longirostra

50–60% · Likely
North Philippine Temple Pitviper
LC

North Philippine Temple Pitviper

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Tropidolaemus subannulatus

50–60% · Likely
Slender-billed Crow
LC

Slender-billed Crow

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Corvus enca

50–60% · Likely
Brown-Striped Tree Frog
LC

Brown-Striped Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Polypedates macrotis

50–60% · Likely
Black-and-yellow Broadbill
NT

Black-and-yellow Broadbill

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Eurylaimus ochromalus

50–60% · Likely
Harlequin Tree Frog
LC Endemic

Harlequin Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rhacophorus pardalis

50–60% · Likely
Green Crested Lizard
LC

Green Crested Lizard

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Bronchocela cristatella

50–60% · Likely
White-crowned Shama

White-crowned Shama

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Copsychus stricklandii

50–60% · Likely
Common Water Monitor
LC Endemic

Common Water Monitor

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Varanus salvator

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Bornean Orangutan ★
CR Endemic

Bornean Orangutan

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Pongo pygmaeus

40–50% · Likely
Maroon Leaf Monkey ★
VU Endemic

Maroon Leaf Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Presbytis rubicunda

70–80% · Very likely
Horsfield's Tarsier ★
VU

Horsfield's Tarsier

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cephalopachus bancanus

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Least Pygmy Squirrel
Endemic

Least Pygmy Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Exilisciurus exilis

40–50% · Likely
Sunda Flying Lemur
LC

Sunda Flying Lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Galeopterus variegatus

40–50% · Likely
Malay Civet
LC

Malay Civet

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Viverra tangalunga

30–40% · Possible
Prevost's Squirrel
LC

Prevost's Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Callosciurus prevostii

30–40% · Possible
Asian Elephant
EN Endemic

Asian Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Elephas maximus

30–40% · Possible
Sambar
VU Endemic

Sambar

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Rusa unicolor

30–40% · Possible
North Bornean Gray Gibbon
EN

North Bornean Gray Gibbon

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Hylobates funereus

30–40% · Possible
Pale Giant Squirrel
NT

Pale Giant Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Ratufa affinis

30–40% · Possible
Crab-eating Macaque
EN Endemic

Crab-eating Macaque

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Macaca fascicularis

30–40% · Possible
Common Palm Civet
LC

Common Palm Civet

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Paradoxurus hermaphroditus

30–40% · Possible
Small-toothed Palm Civet
LC

Small-toothed Palm Civet

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Arctogalidia trivirgata

30–40% · Possible
Mainland Leopard Cat
LC Endemic

Mainland Leopard Cat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Prionailurus bengalensis

20–30% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Helmeted Hornbill ★
CR Endemic

Helmeted Hornbill

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Rhinoplax vigil

20–30% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Rhinoceros Hornbill
VU Endemic

Rhinoceros Hornbill

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Buceros rhinoceros

50–60% · Likely
Little Spiderhunter
LC

Little Spiderhunter

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Arachnothera longirostra

50–60% · Likely
Slender-billed Crow
LC

Slender-billed Crow

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Corvus enca

50–60% · Likely
Black-and-yellow Broadbill
NT

Black-and-yellow Broadbill

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Eurylaimus ochromalus

50–60% · Likely
White-crowned Shama

White-crowned Shama

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Copsychus stricklandii

50–60% · Likely
Lesser Green Leafbird
NT

Lesser Green Leafbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Chloropsis cyanopogon

40–50% · Likely
Green Imperial-Pigeon
NT

Green Imperial-Pigeon

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ducula aenea

40–50% · Likely
Spectacled Bulbul

Spectacled Bulbul

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Rubigula erythropthalmos

40–50% · Likely
Whiskered Treeswift
LC

Whiskered Treeswift

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Hemiprocne comata

40–50% · Likely
Malaysian Pied-Fantail
LC

Malaysian Pied-Fantail

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Rhipidura javanica

40–50% · Likely
Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker
LC

Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Prionochilus xanthopygius

40–50% · Likely
Great Argus
VU

Great Argus

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Argusianus argus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Borneo Forest Dragon
LC

Borneo Forest Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonocephalus bornensis

60–70% · Likely
North Philippine Temple Pitviper
LC

North Philippine Temple Pitviper

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Tropidolaemus subannulatus

50–60% · Likely
Green Crested Lizard
LC

Green Crested Lizard

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Bronchocela cristatella

50–60% · Likely
Common Water Monitor
LC Endemic

Common Water Monitor

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Varanus salvator

50–60% · Likely
Flat-tailed House Gecko
LC

Flat-tailed House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus platyurus

40–50% · Likely
Spotted House Gecko
LC

Spotted House Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gekko monarchus

40–50% · Likely
Gray Bronzeback
LC

Gray Bronzeback

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Dendrelaphis caudolineatus

30–40% · Possible
White-banded Narrow-disked Gecko
Endemic

White-banded Narrow-disked Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gekko albofasciolatus

30–40% · Possible
Triangle Keelback
LC

Triangle Keelback

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Xenochrophis trianguligerus

30–40% · Possible
Rough Mabuya
LC

Rough Mabuya

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Eutropis rudis

20–30% · Possible
Ornate Earless Agama
LC

Ornate Earless Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Aphaniotis ornata

20–30% · Possible
Paradise Flying Snake
LC

Paradise Flying Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chrysopelea paradisi

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

File-eared Tree Frog
LC

File-eared Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Polypedates otilophus

70–80% · Very likely
Brown-Striped Tree Frog
LC

Brown-Striped Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Polypedates macrotis

50–60% · Likely
Harlequin Tree Frog
LC Endemic

Harlequin Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rhacophorus pardalis

50–60% · Likely
Wallace's Flying Frog
LC

Wallace's Flying Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rhacophorus nigropalmatus

40–50% · Likely
Brown Tree Frog
LC

Brown Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Leptomantis harrissoni

20–30% · Possible
Tree Hole Frog
LC

Tree Hole Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Metaphrynella sundana

20–30% · Possible
Chasen's Frilled Tree Frog
LC

Chasen's Frilled Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Kurixalus chaseni

20–30% · Possible
Rough Guardian Frog
LC

Rough Guardian Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Limnonectes finchi

20–30% · Possible
Yellow-spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog
LC

Yellow-spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Chaperina fusca

20–30% · Possible
Nicobar Cricket Frog

Nicobar Cricket Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Amnirana nicobariensis

20–30% · Possible
Horned Toad

Horned Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Megophrys nasuta

20–30% · Possible
Dulit Flying Frog
LC

Dulit Flying Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Zhangixalus dulitensis

20–30% · Possible

Animal Events

🦌

Frugivore Canopy Foraging Peak

JanFebMar

During the early months, fruiting trees draw heavy canopy activity where Bornean Orangutans and Prevost's Squirrels actively forage for high-energy forest resources.

Prevost's Squirrel
LC

Prevost's Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Callosciurus prevostii

30–40% · Possible
Bornean Orangutan
CR Endemic

Bornean Orangutan

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Pongo pygmaeus

40–50% · Likely
🦌

Nocturnal Rainforest Activity Surge

FebJulAug

As darkness falls, the forest comes alive with hunting predators, allowing keen observers to spot Horsfield's Tarsiers and Malay Civets navigating the understory and lower branches.

Horsfield's Tarsier
VU

Horsfield's Tarsier

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cephalopachus bancanus

30–40% · Possible
Malay Civet
LC

Malay Civet

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Viverra tangalunga

30–40% · Possible
🐸

Understory Herpetofauna Breeding Congregation

JanJulSep

Increased moisture prompts higher amphibian and reptile movement, bringing Brown-Striped Tree Frogs and Bornean Keeled Green Pit Vipers into close proximity around breeding sites.

Brown-Striped Tree Frog
LC

Brown-Striped Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Polypedates macrotis

50–60% · Likely
North Philippine Temple Pitviper
LC

North Philippine Temple Pitviper

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Tropidolaemus subannulatus

50–60% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Bornean Orangutan
70–80
60–70
50–60
30–40
10–20
40–50
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
5–10
30–40
Maroon Leaf Monkey
60–70
80–90
80–90
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Helmeted Hornbill
5–10
20–30
20–30
5–10
20–30
20–30
30–40
<5
20–30
<5
<5
5–10
Horsfield's Tarsier
5–10
30–40
30–40
20–30
10–20
30–40
30–40
50–60
10–20
30–40
40–50
40–50
File-eared Tree Frog
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
Borneo Forest Dragon
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
80–90
Rhinoceros Hornbill
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
Little Spiderhunter
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
North Philippine Temple Pitviper
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
10–20
Slender-billed Crow
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
Brown-Striped Tree Frog
70–80
20–30
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
Black-and-yellow Broadbill
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Harlequin Tree Frog
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
Green Crested Lizard
10–20
60–70
60–70
30–40
40–50
40–50
20–30
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
White-crowned Shama
50–60
50–60
60–70
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
20–30
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
Common Water Monitor
10–20
60–70
50–60
30–40
60–70
20–30
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
20–30
50–60
Animal Events
🦌 Frugivore Canopy Foraging Peak
🦌 Nocturnal Rainforest Activity Surge
🐸 Understory Herpetofauna Breeding Congregation

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐸 Wallace's Flying Frog Gliding Overhead

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
563
🐒 Mammals
183
🦎 Reptiles
182
🐸 Amphibians
89
1017 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
100 Threatened 4 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
58%
📊
Coverage (284 species at ≥5% of 1017 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
28%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (5 bird, 3 amphibian, 3 reptile, 1 mammal)
46% Global avg
93%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
153
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
24
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
26

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Danum Valley Conservation Area?

The most likely sightings are Maroon Leaf Monkey (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), File-eared Tree Frog (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Borneo Forest Dragon (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Rhinoceros Hornbill (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Little Spiderhunter (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers) — among 1017 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Danum Valley Conservation Area for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Bornean Orangutan in Danum Valley Conservation Area?

Yes — about 45% of wildlife watchers report a Bornean Orangutan sighting in Danum Valley Conservation Area, based on 43 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Maroon Leaf Monkey in Danum Valley Conservation Area?

Yes — about 77% of wildlife watchers report a Maroon Leaf Monkey sighting in Danum Valley Conservation Area, based on 157 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Helmeted Hornbill in Danum Valley Conservation Area?

Yes — about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Helmeted Hornbill sighting in Danum Valley Conservation Area, based on 11 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Horsfield's Tarsier in Danum Valley Conservation Area?

Yes — about 34% of wildlife watchers report a Horsfield's Tarsier sighting in Danum Valley Conservation Area, based on 34 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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