Phuket may be an island for beach lovers, but it’s also where animal lovers can discover more than just elephants in their sanctuary. Home to varied flora and fauna, the island is packed with exotic wild animals you can watch from afar or interact with.
In this article, we’ll show you seven of Phuket’s rare animals as well as the best places to visit to see these fantastic creatures.
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Seven of Phuket’s Most Exotic Animals
Here are seven wild animals in Phuket you need to know about:
1. Lar Gibbons
With the scientific name Hylobates lar, gibbons are small, arboreal apes poached to extinction about 40 years ago in Thailand. However, a number of them were eventually found with private carers on the island. Some of these gibbons were rescued and housed at The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, where visitors see them in their natural habitat.
2. Common Myna
The common Myna, or Acridotheres Tristis, is a woodland bird that thrives in urban and suburban environments. They are found in random places in Phuket, featuring brown bodies, bright yellow bills and legs, and black hooded heads.
3. Long-Tailed Macaque
Also known as crab-eating macaques, the Macaque Fascicularis are primates that swim among mangroves. They are found in forest and river habitats and easily adjust to human environments. In some temples, they’re considered sacred, and they can often be spotted in these places on the island.
Related article: Cultural Attractions in Phuket
4. Phuket Pit Viper
The Phuket Pit Viper is a new species discovered on October 5, 2009. Named after the habitat where it is found, it features a distinct green color with stripes and unique dense scales. The species was found in southern Phuket and has the scientific name Trimeresurus Phuketensis.
5. Slow Loris
The Slow Loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) is a nocturnal primate that’s native to the Southeast Asian region. Currently, two species are found in Phuket, known for their toxic bites and rainforest habitats.
6. Sea Turtles
Five sea turtles (Chelonioidea) are found in Phuket and the nearby islands of Similan and Surin. These species include the Loggerhead, Leatherback, Hawksbill, green turtles, and the Olive Ridley. You can find them in Phuket at Mai Khao Beach, where they nest during specific times of the year.
Related article: Endangered Sea Turtles Are Returning as Multiple Nests Found Across Phuket and Phang Nga Beaches
7. Indochinese Tiger
With the scientific name of Panthera Tigris Corbetti, the endangered Indochinese Tiger is native to the Southeast Asian region; some are found on the island. They’re known for their golden fur and narrow stripes.
Phuket is home to some of the region’s most beautiful and majestic wild animals. Though the chances of seeing these animals on a hike may be rare, there are a few spots on the island where you can see and interact with these creatures.
Best Places in Phuket to See These Unique Creatures
While a hike in Phuket’s rainforest may be the adventure you’re dying to try to spot these wild animals, here are five of the best places on the island to have a sure sighting and interactions with these creatures.
1. The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project is a volunteer-run facility located in Talang within the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. As mentioned, the gibbons found in this facility were rescued from private owners. Volunteers care for and rehabilitate them before they are released back into the wild.
2. Aquaria Phuket
This is the giant aquarium in Phuket, which houses over 25,000 sea animals. It’s a great place to discover and see Thailand’s rich marine life.
Related article: Creating Memories in Phuket: 7 Kid-Friendly Activities to Enjoy on Your Vacation
3. Monkey Hill
Monkey Hill is Phuket’s highest point and viewpoint, where 400 primates live in groups. It’s home to monkeys and macaques that typically don’t interact with people. If you want to see these creatures in their natural habitat without interacting with them, Monkey Hill is an excellent spot to see them.
Related article: Lesser-Known Activities to Try in Phuket
4. Green Elephant Sanctuary
The sanctuary is excellent for watching elephants in their natural habitat. It’s a 40,000-square-meter property where elephants are cared for, and visitors can engage in mud baths and play with them.
5. Tiger Kingdom Phuket
A place where visitors can interact with cheetahs and the Indochinese Tiger, Tiger Kingdom Phuket is home to these animals born and raised in the facility. They are used to human interaction, and visitors can take pictures and experience being in the same space as these creatures.
It’s important to note that several places on the island exploit the high influx of tourists to take advantage of animals for money. Because of this, it’s best to opt for places that practice proper care and treatment of these creatures, such as the places we mentioned above.
Final Thoughts
From exploring rainforests to nature parks or diving in Phuket’s waters, animal lovers will delight in the island’s beautiful offerings of exotic animals. Discover how these wild animals thrive in the lush environment of Phuket, where nature and modern life converge.
Whether you’re staying at a hotel or in any of the beautiful luxury holiday villas in Phuket, stepping outside in nature and exploring the beauty it offers in terms of flora and fauna can make for an unforgettable tropical vacation.
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Featured Image by Thai National Parks
