mammal-watching

Tanjung Tuan mammal records (West Malaysia, 2024). DRAFT.

Posted by Paul Carter

SUMMARY: In December 2024 I saw three Bare-rumped Pouched Bat on two trees in Tanjung Tuan Forest. It is a widespread species, from India to Northern Australia, but it is infrequently reported e.g. only 20 observations on iNaturalist and 37 on Map of Life (Dec 2024). On my two visits (July 2022 and Dec 2024) I saw 10 mammal species at Tanjung Tuan and another four at Thistle Port Dixon Resort (2 km north of Tanjung Tuan). THIS IS A DRAFT; NOT ALL PHOTOS ARE POSTED.

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Gourikwa Reserve mammal records (South Africa, 2024)

Posted by Paul Carter

SUMMARY: On a two-night trip to Gourikwa Reserve I photographed Cape Dune Mole-rat, Grey Climbing Mouse and Southern African Pygmy Mouse. I saw nine mammal species (including two introduced species) and four reptile species (including Cape Cobra). Gourikwa Reserve in the Western Cape Province (South Africa) is 365 km east of Cape Town. I was travelling with Chi Phan; our visit was over 25-27 Nov 2024.

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Siberut Island mammal records (Sumatra, Indonesia; 2024)

Posted by Paul Carter

SUMMARY: On a six-day visit (7-12 Sep 2024) with Ian Thompson to the Toloulaggo Village area on Siberut Island we saw 12 mammal species of which 11 were endemic to the Mentawai Islands, as well as another 4 species without confirmed identification. Highlights were: Golden-bellied Treeshrew, Kloss’s Gibbon, Siberut Langur, Mentawai Long-tailed Giant Rat and Siberut Flying Squirrel. We also saw what appears to be Sipora Flying Squirrel, noting that literature and databases do not include Siberut in range for this species. Siberut Island is in the Mentawai Islands off western Sumatra. We stayed in Toloulaggo village and visited only the degraded forest within 2 km of the village. Ian arranged the trip through Wawan (Arif Setiawan) of SwaraOwa; our two local guides were Ismael Saumanuk and Vinsensius Tateburuk (Vincent), assisted by Franky.

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Sadiri Lodge mammal records (Bolivia, 2023)

Posted by Paul Carter

SUMMARY: Sadiri Lodge is known as a birding destination with +400 bird species recorded. An online search showed walking trails on a forested ridge with mammal potential so I visited in June 2023 for four nights. I saw +17 mammal species at the lodge, including Western Amazonian Mouse Opossum, Ferreiras Spiny Tree Rat, Simon’s Spiny Rat and Vargas Llosa’s Bristly Mouse. We also saw fresh footprint of Bush Dog which Raul Navi (my lodge guide) has seen here before. In the nearby lowlands we also saw Madidi Tit Monkey.

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Nepal

By Paul Carter; first posted 22 Aug 2024.
Separate “site reports” with more detailed information and images have yet to be posted.

SUMMARY
On trips to Nepal in 2022 (alone) and 2023 (with Chi Phan) I saw 51 mammal species; these were mostly in Chitwan NP, Bardia NP, Langtang NP and around Pokhara. Small mammal highlights were White-bellied Giant Flying Squirrel, Grey-headed Giant Flying Squirrel, Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel, Altai Mountain Weasel and Yellow-bellied Weasel. Larger mammals included Tiger, Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros, Himalayan Tahr and Himalayan Goral. In 2022 I also spent some time in Kathmandu with Stuart Chapman; thanks to him for sharing his knowledge on the region.

Contents
A. Trip and Site Reports
B. Mammal Species Seen
C. Reptile Species Seen
D. Logistics
E. References

A)  TRIPS AND SITE REPORTS
I visited Nepal alone in 2022 (Sep 29 – Oct 26) and with Chi Phan in 2023 (Oct 19 – Nov 11). Sites visited for mammals included the following, with links to site reports indicated (once posted):

  1. Kathmandu (2022 and 2023): Monkey Temple and Thamel. Site report here.
  2. Chitwan NP and Saura (2022 and 2023): Chitwan Community Forest, NP (across the river from Sauraha), Tiger Tower and Baghmara Tower.
  3. Pokhara (2022 and 2023): Chamere Gufa Bat Cave, Fish Tail Lodge, World Peace Pagoda area.
  4. Bardia NP (2022).
  5. Langtang NP (2022): Dhunche, New Village, Deurali, Dhimsa, Sing Gompa, Cholang Pati, Lauribina, Gosaikunda.

A)  MAMMALS SPECIES SEEN
The page numbers below refer to species accounts in Lynx (2020) but some binomials and common names in the list below have been revised/updated.

  1. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus). p013.1. @ Bardia NP + Chitwan NP.
  2. Assam Macaque (Macaca assamensis). p017.2. @ Langtang NP.
  3. Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta). p018.3. @ Kathmandu + Chitwan NP + Bardia NP + Pokhara.
  4. Terai Sacred Langur (Semnopithecus hector). p019.2. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  5. Nepal Sacred Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus). p019.3. @ Langtang NP.
  6. Large-eared Pika (Ochotona macrotis) p024.4. @ Langtang NP.
  7. Royle’s Pika (Ochotona roylii). p025.1. @ Langtang NP. Q-ID.
  8. Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis). p026.2. @ Bardia NP.
  9. Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mouse (Vandeleuria oleraceous). p038.1. @ Chitwan NP + Langtang NP.
  10. Indochinese Forest Rat (Rattus andamanensis). p048.3. @ Langtang NP. Q-ID.
  11. Sikkim Mountain Vole (Neodon sikimensis). p053.2. @ Langtang NP.
  12. Malayan Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura). p055.2. @ Pokhara.
  13. Northern Palm Squirrel (Funambulus pennantii), p057.1. @ Kathmandu + Chitwan NP.
  14. Orange-bellied Squirrel (Dremomys lokriah). p059.2. @ Langtang NP.
  15. Irrawaddy Squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus). p060.1. @ Pokhara.
  16. Particoloured Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger). p060.4. @ Langtang NP + Chitwan NP buffer zone.
  17. White-bellied Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista albiventer). p061.3. @ Pokhara.
  18. Grey-headed Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista caniceps). p062.2. @ Langtang NP.
  19. Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista magnificus). p062.3. @ Langtang NP.
  20. Hodgson’s Brown-toothed Shrew (Episoriculus caudatus). p070.1. @ Langtang NP. Q-ID vs E. soluensis.
  21. Asian House Shrew (Suncus murinus). p072.3. @ Kathmandu + Pokhara area.
  22. Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx), p078.3. @ Kathmandu + Sauraha.
  23. Indian Flying-fox (Pteropus medius). p081.4. @ Kathmandu + Pokhara.
  24. Great Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros armiger). p084.3. @ Pokhara.
  25. Japanese Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus nippon). p089.2. Split from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (see ssp nippon). @ Pokhara. Q-ID.
  26. Big-eared Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus macrotis). p089.3. @ Pokhara.
  27. Intermediate Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus affinis). p091.1. @ Pokhara.
  28. Javan Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus javanicus). p100.2. @ Pokhara, provisional ID.
  29. Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat (Scotophilus kuhlii). p107.2. @ Chitwan NP area.
  30. Greater Asiatic Yellow Bat (Scotophilus heathii). p107.3. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  31. Myotis sp: Nepalese Whiskered Myotis (Myotis muricola). p113.2. vs Himalayan Whiskered Myotis (Myotis siligorensis) not in range (p115.1). @ Pokhara.
  32. Eurasian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa). p128.3. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP + Langtang NP.
  33. Northern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis). p131.3. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP + Langtang NP.
  34. Chital Deer (Axis axis). p131.4. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  35. Hog Deer (Axis porcinus). p132.1. @ Chitwan Community Forest.
  36. Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor). p132.2. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  37. Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), p138.4. @ Langtang NP.
  38. Himalayan Goral (Naemorhedus goral). p142.3. @ Langtang NP.
  39. Maned Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis), p143.3. @ Langtang NP.
  40. Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). p144.3. @ Chitwan NP + Chitwan Community Forest.
  41. Tiger (Panthera tigris). p146.3. @ Bardia NP.
  42. Leopard (Panthera pardus). p147.1. @ Bardia NP.
  43. Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha). p151.3. @ Chitwan NP area.
  44. Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata). p152.2. @ Pokhara.
  45. Northern Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). p152.3. @ Bardia NP.
  46. Small Indian Mongoose (Urva auropunctata). p153.2. @ Kathmandu.
  47. Indian Grey Mongoose (Urva edwardsii). p153.3. @ Chitwan NP.
  48. Golden Jackal (Canis aureus). p155.2. @ Pokhara area.
  49. Altai Mountain Weasel (Mustela altaica). p163.1. @ Langtang NP.
  50. Yellow-bellied Weasel (Mustela kathiah). p163.3. @ Langtang NP.
  51. Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula). p160.4. @ Langtang NP.

B)  REPTILE SPECIES SEEN
Reptiles seen whilst focused on mammals include the following:

  1. Ganges Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica). @ Chitwan NP area.
  2. Common Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis tristis). @ Bardia NP.
  3. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). @ Chitwan NP + Chitwan Community Forest.
  4. Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  5. Cloud-forest Japalure (Japalura tricarinata). @ Langtang NP.
  6. Kashmir Rock Agama (Laudakia tuberculata). @ Langtang NP.
  7. Keeled Indian Mabuya (Eutropis carinata). @ Bardia NP.
  8. Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor). @ Sauraha + Bardia NP + Pokhara.
  9. Asian House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus). @ Sauraha Town.
  10. Northern House Gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis). @ Bardia NP area. Tentative ID.
  11. Spotted House Gecko (Hemidactylus parvimaculatus). @ Chitwan NP buffer zone.

D)   LOGISTICS (2022-2023)

Time Zone: Kathmandu, Nepal ‎(UTC+5:45)‎ vs Thailand (UTC +7:00).
Currency: Over 2022-2023 the exchange rate range was 129-133 NPR/US$. During my trips it was:
(1) 2022 Sep 29 – Oct 26:  US$ = 131 NPR approx.
(2) 2023 Oct 19 – Nov 11:  US$ + 133 NPR approx.
Power:  230V 50 Hz.
Wall Sockets: Type C (Euro type – round, recessed, two-pin), D and M sockets. Most websites neglect to mention that Type G is also used in some places.
Weather: Monsoon season is around June to September. The Weather-and-climate app states “The periods from October to November (autumn) and mid-February to May (spring) are often regarded as the best time to visit Nepal. After the monsoon, the skies clear up, causing pleasant temperatures and spectacular views. In March and April, southern Nepal generally enjoys spring-like to summer conditions, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 30 degrees Celsius (71.6 – 86 degrees Fahrenheit). This period is characterized by minimal rainfall and high amounts of sunshine”.
UK government Foreign Travel Advice for Nepal: link.

Travel tips for Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA): 2023
Visa On Arrival: The process is quicker if you do an online application before flying. Depending on your nationality you can submit an online application for a visa on arrival within the 15 days before your arrival (and not before then). On arrival you then submit a paper copy of this application. Obtaining a visa on arrival without an online application can be done but it takes longer to get the visa. You can submit a visa application at nepaliport (the immigration website) here. You pay at the visa on arrival counter but the visa is only placed in your passport at the immigration counters.
Carry-on luggage X-ray: After immigration all passengers put their carry-on luggage through an X-ray machine before collecting check-in baggage.
Airport Wifi: There is free airport wifi after arrival.
Cash: There is a foreign currency exchange booth after customs and there is an ATM further down the passage before the elevator and next to the taxi booking counter.
SIM Card: I bought an Ncell sim card (2022). There are Ncell booths near the currency exchange counter and near the ATM. My Ncell card still worked after one year away and I just had to top it up (done at the airport). Nepal Telecom is the other operator.
Taxi on Arrival: A taxi can be booked at the booth before the elevator and exit of the arrivals hall.
Airport website: https://tiairport.com.np/airport-facilities.

Taxi and Ride-Share Apps (2022-2023)
Pathao: I used this in Kathmandu. In was not an option in Pokhara.
InDrive: I used this app in 2023 in both Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Trekking and Restrictions
I bought trekking permits and national park permits (for Langtang NP) in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office on Pradarshani Marg east of Thamel. Note that “Trekkers should trek only in the specified or designated route as per the Trekking Permit. They are not allowed to change route”. The UK government (2023) noted that, as of 1 April 2023, “Nepal requires all solo trekkers to use a local guide or porter when trekking in Nepal’s national parks”. Other useful links were the Immigration department’s link on trekking permits and Third Rock Adventures (2023 Oct) had a good summary of the requirements and costs here. 

E.  REFERENCES

  • Acharya PR, Adhikari H, Dahal S, Thapa A, Thapa S (2010). Bats of Nepal: A field guide. Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation (SMCRF).
  • Lynx (2020a) / Lynx Edicions (2020 June). Lynx Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of South Asia. Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Menon V (2014). Indian Mammals. A Field Guide. Hachette Book Publishing, India.
  • Thapa S, Dahal DR, Ghimire R, Baral R, Yadav B, Lamichhane BR et al (2021 Sep). Occurrence of bats in protected areas of Nepal: An update on species richness and distribution records. Nepalese Journal of Zoology 5(2):68–85. https://doi.org/10.3126/njz.v5i2.42035
  • UK Government (2023). Foreign Travel Advice – Nepal. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal

Vietnam

Summary: On four trips to Vietnam (2012 and 2024) I saw 35 species of mammals as listed in Section A below. Highlights were Ha Long Leaf-nosed Bat (endemic), Small-toothed Ferret-badger, Grey-shanked Douc and Southern Pygmy Loris.

Paul Carter: paulcarter@pacapix.com. Page Status: this page updated 15 Dec 2024.

Contents
a) Mammal list
b) Reptile list
c) List of trips to Vietnam
d) Reports
e) Logistics

A. MAMMAL LIST
Order: bats, carnivores, ungulates, lagomorphs, rodents, treeshrews, colugos, primates

  1. Lesser Short-nosed Fruitbat (Cynopterus brachyotis). TENTATIVE ID.
  2. Geoffroy’s Rousette (Rousettus amplexicaudatus). At Ba Be NP.
  3. Ha Long Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros alongensis). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  4. Andersen’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros gentilis). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  5. Stoliczka’s Asian Trident Bat (Aselliscus stoliczkanus). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  6. Pearson’s Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus pearsonii). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  7. Black-bearded Tomb Bat (Taphozous melanopogon). At Perfume Pagoda; Marble Mountain.
  8. Murina sp. At Cuc Phuong NP.
  9. Southern Palm Civet (Paradoxurus musanga). At Cat Tien NP.
  10. Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula). At Cat Tien NP.
  11. Small-toothed Ferret-badger (Melogale moschata). At Bach Ma NP.
  12. Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor).
  13. Burmese Hare (Lepus peguensis). At Cat Tien NP
  14. Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor). At Cuc Phuong NP. Bach Ma NP.
  15. Pallas’s Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus).
  16. Perny’s Long-nosed Squirrel (Dremomys pernyi). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  17. Chinese Red-cheeked Squirrel (Dremomys ornatus). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  18. Eastern Striped Squirrel (Tamiops maritimus). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  19. Cambodian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii). At Cat Tien NP.
  20. Indochinese Ground Squirrel (Menetes berdmorei). At Cat Tien NP.
  21. Mekong White-bellied Rat (Niviventer mekongis). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  22. Little Indochinese Field Rat (Rattus sakeratensis). At Ba Be NP.
  23. Indochinese Shrewlike Mouse (Mus pahari). At Cuc Phuong NP.
  24. Northern Treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri). At Cat Tien NP; Cuc Phuong NP.
  25. Northern Smooth-tailed Treeshrew (Dendrogale murina). At Cat Tien NP.
  26. Southern Pygmy Loris (Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus). At Cat Tien NP.
  27. Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis).
  28. Northern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca leonina). At Cat Tien NP.
  29. Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta). At Danang; Cat Tien NP.
  30. Southern Yellow-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae). At Cat Tien NP.
  31. Delacour’s Langur (Trachypithecus delacouri). At Van Long NR.
  32. Annamese Silvered Langur (Trachypithecus margarita). At Cat Tien NP.
  33. Black-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nigripes). At Cat Tien NP.
  34. Grey-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix cinerea). At Nui Thanh area.
  35. Red-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus). At Son Tra; Bach Ma.

B. REPTILE LIST
DRAFT: – reptile records from only Cat Tien have been entered:

  1. Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus). At Cat Tien.
  2. Ruby-eyed Green Pitviper (Trimeresurus rubeus). At Cat Tien.
  3. Common Mock Viper (Psammoddynastes pulverulentus). At Cat Tien.
  4. Laotian Wolf Snake (Lycodon laoensis). At Cat Tien.
  5. Spotted Forest Skink (Sphenomorphus maculatus). At Cat Tien.
  6. Common Sun Skink (Eutropis multifasciata). At Cat Tien.
  7. Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor). At Cat Tien Danang.
  8. Crowned Pricklenape (Acanthosaura coronata). At Cat Tien.
  9. Tokay (Gekko gecko). At Cat Tien.
  10. Flat-tailed House Gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus). At Cat Tien.

C. LIST OF TRIPS TO VIETNAM

  1. South and Central Vietnam (14 Jan – 1 Feb 2012), with Chi Phan.
    • Sites: Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hoi An, Hue, Phong Nga, and Cat Tien NP.
  2. North Vietnam (15-27 Nov 2012), with Chi Phan.
    • Sites: Hanoi, Cuc Phuong NP, Van Long NR.
  3. North and Central Vietnam (12-29 July 2024), with Chi Phan.
  4. South Vietnam (7-17 Dec 2024), with Chi Phan.
    • Sites: Ho Chi Minh City, Cat Tien NP.

D. REPORTS

  1. “Cuc Phuong NP (Vietnam): mammal records“. Posted 2024 Aug 18. Visited Nov 2012 (alone) and July 2024 (with Nick Cox and Le Khac Quyet). Highlights: Ha Long Leaf-nosed Bat.
  2. “Red-shanked Douc Langur at Danang (Vietnam), July 2024“. Posted 2024 Oct 7. Guided by Bui Van Tuan.
  3. “Grey-shanked Douc Langur near Nui Thanh (Vietnam), July 2024“. Posted 2024 Oct 7. Guided by Bui Van Tuan.
  4. “Cat Tien NP mammal records (Vietnam, 2024)“. DRAFT in progress.

E. LOGISTICS

  • Online Visa Application: With USA and UK passports we applied online (July, 2024) for 30-day visas at: https://evisa.gov.vn/. Processing time was three business days. From Nov 2024 if you have a “full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK” (and a few other countries) then you “can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business” (UK government website – check for updates). I did not know this in Dec 2024 and I had an e-visa; the immigration officer on arrival told me I did not need the visa and that was the first time I heard about it.
  • Immigration, Baggage and Customs: Immigration and baggage inspection at Hanoi airport (July 2024) was quick and straight forward. Immigration at Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) took an hour (Dec 2024).
  • Currency (2024 July 15): US$1 = 25,400 VND (Vietnamese Dong); it was around 21,000 in 2012.
  • ATMs (2024): The ATMs have space for 6-digit PINs. For cards with 4-digit PINs there are online reports suggesting you add two zeros at the front or end of your PIN but at HSBC my card worked when using the normal 4-digit PIN.
  • SIM Card (2024): We used Viettel. SIM cards can be purchased at the airport. In Hanoi (July 2024) we obtained sim cards at the Viettel store on the NW corner of Ho Hoan Kiem Lake (store address: 53 P. Luong Van Can). A 30-day package allowing up to 8 GB per day cost 250,000 VND ($10). In Ho Chi Minh City (Dec 2024) we bought sim cards at this store near our rental apartment close to Vinhomes Central Park.
  • e-SIM: In Dec 2024 I bought an e-SIM (through Airalo) so that I would have data on landing; we then moved to standard SIM cards so that we could have a working phone number.
  • Ride-share App: GRAB was very useful. We also used Booking.com for airport transfers.
  • Motorbike rental: In Danang (2024) it was easy to rent a motorbike from the hotel.
  • Car rental: To rent a car you need a Vietnam Driver’s Licence.

Return to Contents.

Boquete (Panama): mammal records (2022)

Posted by Paul Carter

Paul Carter, 21 Feb 2022

This post summarizes key mammal records (six species) from five nights (13-18 Feb 2022) in Boquete, Panama; staying at Los Naranjos Cottage; part of a two-week trip with Chi Phan. The record of Alston’s Woolly Mouse Opossum (Marmosa alstoni), currently listed as endemic to Costa Rica, is seemingly the first confirmed record for Panama. The Los Naranjos cottage is recommended as a place to stay if wanting to see Cacomistle; I don’t know of it being reported at any other accommodation in Boquete. These records are mostly from the two dry nights of our visit.
Contents below: 1) Sites; 2) Mammal List; 3) Images.

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Panama

Paul Carter, 26 Mar 2022 (revised 18 Apr 2022)

I visited Panama over 6-20 February 2022; with Chi Phan. Of the +38 mammals recorded the highlights were Margay and Ocelot on the Pipeline Trail; Panama Mouse Opossum at Gamboa; and Cacomistle and Alston’s Woolly Mouse Opossum at Boquete.
Contents below: 1) Locations; 2) Mammal List; 3) Photos; 4) Travel Tips.
Links to regional reports and species reports are shown below.

1. LOCATIONS VISITED
Mammal-watching was focused on the following three areas:
1) Gamboa (36 mammals; 4n at Summit Rainforest and Golf Resort; 2n at Gamboa Rainforest Lodge). Site post HERE.
2) El Valle de Anton (3n at El Valle de Anton La Chachalaca).
3) Boquete (6 mammals; 5n at Los Naranjos cottage). Site post HERE.

2. MAMMAL LIST – as 26 March 2022
Bat records below marked as “EMT” were made using an Echo Meter Touch 2 Pro (link), but only where there were visuals on the bat and repeated recordings that made sense (habitat, range etc); the EMT is not up to date on taxonomic changes so this was also taken into account on IDs.

  1. Alston’s Woolly Mouse Opossum (Marmosa alstoni) @ Boquete (first photographic record for Panama? Detailed post HERE and Zenodo article HERE).
  2. Panama Mouse Opossum (Marmosa isthmica / Marmosa robinsoni isthmica) @ Gamboa.
  3. Common Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) @ Gamboa area and Boquete.
  4. Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) @ Gamboa area.
  5. Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) @ Gamboa area.
  6. Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) @ Gamboa area.
  7. Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) @ Gamboa area.
  8. Lesser White-lined Bat (Saccopteryx leptura) – EMT. @ Gamboa area.
  9. Greater White-lined Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata) – EMT. @ Gamboa area.
  10. Common Black Myotis (Myotis nigricans) – EMT. @ Anton Valley.
  11. Northern Hairy-legged Myotis (Myotis pilosatibialis) – EMT. @ Anton Valley.
  12. Common Big-eared Bat (Micronycteris microtis) @ Gamboa area and Anton Valley.
  13. Merriam’s Long-tongued Bat (Glossophaga mutica) @ Gamboa area.
  14. Seba’s Short-tailed Bat (Carollia perspicillata) @ Gamboa area.
  15. Common Tent-making Bat (Uroderma bilobatum) @ Gamboa.
  16. Great Stripe-faced Bat (Vampyrodes major) @ Gamboa.
  17. Greater Broad-nosed Bat (Platyrrhinus vittatus) @ Boquete.
  18. Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) @ Gamboa area.
  19. Mesoamerican Mustached Bat (Pteronotus mesoamericanus) @ Gamboa.
  20. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) @ Gamboa area.
  21. Margay (Leopardus wiedii) @ Gamboa area.
  22. Cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti) @ Boquete.
  23. White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica) @ Gamboa area and Anton Valley.
  24. Western Lowland Olingo (Bassaricyon medius) @ Gamboa area.
  25. Kinkajou (Potos flavus) @ Gamboa area.
  26. Collared Peccary (Dicotyles tajacu) @ Gamboa area.
  27. Gabb’s Cottontail (Sylvilagus gabbi / Sylvilagus brasiliensis gabbi) @ Gamboa.
  28. Red-tailed Squirrel (Syntheosciurus granatensis / Sciurus granatensis) @ Anton Valley.
  29. Variegated Squirrel (Echinosciurus variegatoides / Sciurus variegatoides) @ Gamboa.
  30. Quichua Porcupine (Coendou quichua; includes Coendou rothschildi) @ Gamboa area (Plantation Road and Laguna Trail).
  31. Lesser Capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius) @ Gamboa area.
  32. Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) @ Gamboa area and Boquete.
  33. Spotted Paca (Cuniculus paca) @ Gamboa.
  34. Chiriquian Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys garichensis) @ Boquete.
  35. Talamancan Deer Mouse (Peromyscus nudipes) @ Boquete.
  36. Tomes’s Spiny Rat (Proechimys semispinosus) @ Gamboa area (Plantation Road, Laguna Trail and Tram station).
  37. Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata) @ Gamboa area.
  38. Geoffroy’s Tamarin (Saguinus geoffroyi) @ Gamboa area.

3. PHOTOS
Alston’s Woolly Mouse Opossum shown below; other mammal photos shown in site/regional posts.

Alston’s Woolly Mouse Opossum (Marmosa alstoni) in Boquete, Panama (2022 Feb 17 – 9 PM)

4. PANAMA TRAVEL TIPS (2022)

  • Covid protocols: We were vaccinated and no covid test was needed before arrival, but we had to fill in an online health form with submission of certificate/card showing full covid vaccination, and your passport ID page. See COVID-19 Guidelines (tourismpanama.com). ALL travelers were required to present their completed Electronic Health Affidavit (in physical or digital form) to their airline or carrier BEFORE boarding to Panama. COPA state that fully vaccinated passengers must present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
  • Rental Car: we used Avis (in Tocumen airport), renting a Hyundai Tucson 2WD; no issues. Avis charged $22 for a toll-booth drive-through system but we did not drive through many booths. See this post for driving in Panama.
  • Navigation: we used the Waze app; it shows the speed limits (mostly correctly) and reported traffic police (many on the highway). The AllTrails app was also useful for hiking trails
  • Phone cards: at the phone card booth opposite the Avis rental counter in Tocumen airport we bought Digicel sim cards and a one-week package with unlimited data and texts for about $25. We later bought 7-day plans for about $6 using Recharge.com (which seemed easier than using Digicell itself for extending a plan).
  • Antigen tests: we needed these for return to the US. We flew at 7 PM and got the tests at 2 PM with a 30-minute wait for our results. The test center was at the rental-car section in Tocumen Airport.

Way Kambas (Sumatra) mammal trip – Aug 2014

Posted by Paul Carter

Pen-tailed Tree-shrew
Pen-tailed Tree-shrew

I visited Way Kambas NP, South Sumatra, in August 2014 and used Hari, an excellent local guide, for much of my time there. The 31 mammal species seen included great views of Pen-tailed Treeshrew, Black-eared Pygmy Squirrel, Indomalayan Pencil-tailed Tree Mouse, six bats; and a brief view of Marbled Cat. Birds included Large Frogmouth, Reddish Scops Owl, Buffy Fish Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Crested Fireback and White-winged Duck.

Link to trip report (pdf) including photos: 20140816-WayKambas(Sumatra)-PaulCarter-TRv2

 

Sabah (Borneo) mammal trip – March 2014

Posted by Paul Carter

On a 23-day trip around Sabah (Borneo), with Jo Dale in March-April 2014, we saw 56 mammals (including 8 primates, 15 squirrels and 10 bats).

Least Pygmy Squirrel
Least Pygmy Squirrel

Jo joined me on Day 5 after I had visited Crocker Range and Poring Hot Springs. Other key sites included Kinabalu NP, Kinabatangan River, Danum Valley and Tabin Wildlife Reserve. My trip report (pdf with photos) is here.