Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Flora & Fauna
In the northern half of Thailand, most indigenous species are classified zoologically as
Indo-Chinese, referring to fauna originating from mainland Asia, while those of the south
are generally Sundaic, typical of peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and Java. There is
also an interesting overlap that provides habitat for plants and animals from both zones
starting in Uthai Thani and extending south to the gulf region around Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Thailand is particularly rich in bird life, with over a thousand recorded resident and mi-
grating species, approximately 10% of the world's bird species. The cool mountains of
northern Thailand are populated by montane species and migrants with clear Himalayan af-
finities such as flycatchers and thrushes. The arid forests of Khao Yai National Park in
northeastern Thailand are favourites for hornbills. Marshland birds prefer the wetlands of
the central region, while Sundaic species such as Gurney's pitta flock to the wetter climate
of southern Thailand.
In addition to abundant bird life, visitors to the country's national parks are most likely
to spot monkeys. Thailand is home to five species of macaque, four species of the smaller
leaf-monkey and three species of gibbon. Although they face the same habitat loss as other
native species, monkeys sometimes survive in varying states of domestication with hu-
mans. The long-armed gibbons were once raised alongside children in rural villages, and
macaques can be found living in small wooded patches or unused temples in population
centres.
Other species found in the kingdom's parks and sanctuaries include gaur (Indian bison),
banteng (wild cattle), serow (an Asiatic goat-antelope), sambar deer, muntjac (barking
deer), mouse deer and tapir - to name a few.
Thailand has six venomous snakes: the common cobra, king cobra, banded krait, green
viper, Malayan viper and Russell's pit viper. Although the relatively rare king cobra can
reach up to 6m in length, the nation's largest snake is the reticulated python, which can
reach a whopping 10m.
The country's many lizard species include two common varieties -
đúk·gaa,
a reclusive
and somewhat homely gecko heard in the early evening coughing its name; and
jîng·jòk,
a
spirited house lizard that is usually spotted on ceilings and walls chasing after bugs. The
black jungle monitor, which looks like a miniature dinosaur, lives in some of the southern
forests.
