The amazing and bizarre wildlife of Indonesia

Indonesia is home to a variety of bizarre and amazing creatures; some of which you've probably never even heard of before! Here's a list of six fascinating animals that will be sure to make you want to book a trip to Indonesia ASAP. These are presented by Carly, the author of The Featured Creature, a website that showcases unusual and incredible creatures. Check out her site for many more unbelievable animals!

1. Trefoil Horseshoe Bat

image credit: mamuin.blogspot.com

image credit: sudanajang.com

While it may look like an unpleasant feature to have, the Trefoil Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus trifoliatus) would be lost without its elaborate, albeit rather ugly, noseleaf as it's called.

This bat is one of 30 species of Horseshoe Bats that are masters of echolocation - using its voice to screech and then listening for the echoes bouncing off of its prey - all thanks to its wonderful, wrinkly face (and huge ears of course)! The grooves in the nose allow it to notice slight variations when detecting echoes, allowing for a much more precise hunting tool.

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2. Flying Dragon

image credit: Reddit user Biophilia_curiosus

image credit: Reddit user Biophilia_curiosus

This is the real life Toruk from Avatar, also known as the Draco volans, a flying lizard that measures 8 inches from head to tail tip. If you look in the 2nd photo you'll notice what look like veins running through the wings. These are actually its ribs! The lizard is able to expand & contract its chest in order to use its wings (or not). These flying lizards are able to glide up to 55 yards!

3. Mouse Deer

image credit: news.bbc.co.uk

image credit: zooborns.com

Growing to just 18 inches tall and 4.4 pounds, the mouse deer is quite funny-looking with its big eyes, long toothpick-like legs, and a pointed little snout. But just look how cute the baby is!!! It's just so itty bitty!


4. Black and Red Broadbills

image credit: Mr No Good

image credit: Mr No Good

These breathtakingly beautiful birds are Black-and-Red Broadbills (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos). They have a black head, back, and tail feathers with crimson underparts. The bill is most striking, as it is a wonderful light turquoise on top with yellow underneath.

Now I couldn't find any info on this but if you'll notice in some of the pictures you can see long "hairs" near the birds' faces. They almost look like Salvador Dali mustaches!

5. Orchid Mantis

image credit: wilmott.com

image credit: Nitsirk Eel

image credit: Igor Siwanowicz, via photo.net

 Orchid Praying Mantises are tricky. Very tricky. Maybe even... too tricky?

You see if I ever go to Malaysia, Indonesia and Sumatra you should know that my #1 priority would be to find an Orchid Mantis. But here's my dilemma... it blends in so freaking well that I'm not sure I could ever possibly find one!!

I mean look at this thing, its walking legs look exactly like petals and the body coloration will tend to match wherever the Orchid Mantis was raised. It IS an orchid. So like I said... it's verging on too tricky for me.

Even as babies (or nymphs) the Orchid Mantises are masters of disguise. Young nymphs resemble ants with black bodies and red-ish legs. So they transform from ants into orchids? That really is an Ugly-Duckling-To-Swan Story if I've ever heard one!

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6. Nudibranchs

image credit: Hung & Pan

image credit: Hung & Pan

image credit: Andy Albatross

Not much to say on this guy known by its scientific name Doto sp., just thought it was an exceptionally beautiful nudibranch!

It's sometimes referred to as a doughnut nudibranch though because of its circular cerata that appear to be stacked in groups of 3 or 4 discs.

These are just one example of nudibranch species found in Indonesian waters! View more photos of them here.

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After seeing all of these incredible creatures, don't you just want to hop on a plane to Indonesia and start searching for them? If that's not entirely possible at the moment, head over to The Featured Creature to get your photo fill instead!

Ngaben; The Traditional Balinese Cremation Ceremony

These photos are from a traditional Balinese cremation ceremony, or Ngaben, in Sangeh, Bali, Indonesia from our 2011 Balifornian Culture Tour.  Sangeh is located about 40 minutes north west of Ubud in the Badung Regency and home to Bukit Sari monkey forest and Temple, Pura Bukit Sari which dates back to the 17th century.

Ngaben, The traditional Balinese cremation ceremony

According to Balinese tradition, this village is revered in The Ramayana. The epic Hindu poem discusses the legend of the monkey god Hanuman who must kill the evil demon Rawana who has taken over the colossal cosmic mountain named Mahameru. Mahameru was home to large Nutmeg trees filled with happy monkeys. One day a section of the mountain fell to earth onto the village of Sangeh and there have been monkeys here ever since. The tall nutmeg trees that surround the temple are found nowhere else on the island and have remained a sacred mystery.

Our good friend, Gung Adi, who’s family has lived in Sangeh for generations, invited me to partake in The Balinese Hindu cremation ceremonies taking place in his village. 

The Ngaben ritual which is executed to return the deceased soul and the five elements to heaven by burning the dead body in an elaborate ceremony which is followed by Hindu ritual procession.  It is among the most renowned cultural activities in the world for adhering to its ancient roots, dating back over a thousand years. The fortunate exception that has thankfully broken from ancient tradition is that the wives of the deceased no longer throw themselves onto the flaming funeral pyres as their dead husbands are cremated.

The ceremony and traditions involved in this powerful and striking ritual are covered in depth and stunning footage in the upcoming Balifornian Film’s documentary.

Photo of the Day ~ Introspective Cockfighter ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog

While the implications of cockfighting can be debated, the fact is that it is a deep element of Indonesian and Balinese culture.  Some events draw thousands of participants and onlookers and the organized chaos is both fascinating and frightening.  Its not for everyone certainly, but it is an interesting look into the culture and the history of the Balinese people.

I thought this to be an interesting moment. Amist all the chaos, screaming, betting, chanting, fighting, blood spilling, etc., this young man took a contemplative moment to himself (and his fighter) in the moments leading up to battle in Singaraja in Northern Bali.

Singaraja, Bali cockfighterAlthough in 1981 the Indonesian government made cockfighting and gambling illegal, it is deemed as merely a suggestion and the 'sport' continues to this day.

The huge shiny 'Taji' or blade attached to the chicken's foot is readily apparent in this photograph and one can only imagine the damage that this metal talon can inflict.  There is much lore attached to this mysterious and deadly object; menstruating women can not gaze upon it, it can only be sharpened under the moonlight, only very special charcoal from a tree hit by lightning can be used to forge the steel, it can not be handled by a member of a family that has recently had a deceased member, and the lore goes on and on.

Regardless of the views of westerners and other outsiders, cockfighting is tightly entwined into the Balinese culture and even religion. Part of Balinese Hinduism involves sacrifice and offerings and sometimes even blood sacrifice.  The cock and its owner spend a great deal of time together and its owner spends a great deal of money and effort to care for and prep the animal for battle.  A strong bond is formed and for the man to risk his prized pet is considered an offering to the gods.