Bekantan or in scientific name Nasalis larvatus is a type of long-nosed monkeys with reddish brown hair and is one of two species in a single genus of Nasalis monkeys.
The main characteristics that distinguish of bekantan from other monkeys are long and large nose which is only owned by male species. The function of large nose on the male bekantan is still not clear, but it may be caused by natural selection. Female monkeys prefer to males with larger noses as a partner. Bekantan are also known as Holland Monkeys, because of their nose. In the Brunei language they are called bangkatan.
Male bekantan have a size of larger than females. Its size can reach 75 cm and weigh up to 24 kg. Female bekantan have a size of 60 cm, weight 12kg. This species also has a large belly, as a result of food consumption habits. In addition to fruits and grains, bekantan also eat variety of leaves, which produces a lot of gas when digested. This is side effect that makes stomach of bekantan bulges.
Bekantan spread and endemic in mangroves, wetlands and coastal forests on the Borneo island (Kalimantan, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei). This species spends most of their time on the trees and live in groups of between 10 to 32 monkeys. Social system of Bekantan is basically a One-male group, a group consisting of one adult male, several adult females and their children. Besides, there is also the all-male group, which consists of several male bekantan. Male teenager is going out of one-male group and joins to all-male group. This was made possible as a strategy of bekantan to prevent inbreeding. Bekantan can swim well, sometimes seen swimming from one island to another. To support the ability of swimming, there are membranes on the sidelines of bekantan’s toes. Besides expert in swimming, bekantan can also dive in a few seconds, so that the nose is also equipped with a kind of valve.
Bekantan is the animal mascot of South Kalimantan province.
Based on the loss of forest habitat and continuing illegal arrests, as well as very limited habitat area and population, bekantan is evaluated as Endangered Animals in the IUCN Red List. This species is listed in CITES.
TOURISM POTENTIAL
This tourist attraction is often regarded as a fantastic appeal, Banjarmasin like Venice of the East World, because both have the potential of river tourism. But both cities have different natural and cultural backgrounds. In Banjarmasin still found in along the river many homes floats called rumah lanting, which is always swerved played a wave.
Kuin area is a type of settlement located along the river (waterfront village) which has several tourist attractions, in the form of eco-tourism and cultural tourism. Community life is closely with river life such as the floating markets, settlement waterfront village with traditional architecture. Back and forth of traditional boats with a wide variety of loads is an interesting attraction for tourists, even expected to be developed into a tourist village so that it can be image forming in the promotion of tourism in South Kalimantan. Still in the same region, tourists can also visit the Masjid Sultan Suriansyah and Komplek Makam Sultan Suriansyah, Kembang island, Kaget island and Bakut Island. In Kuin also a carving crafts for Banjar home ornaments.
