Kinabalu Park

🇲🇾 Malaysia

🐍 Malcolm's Pitviper Thrives in Mist
🌍 #162 Global · 3.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #10 in Southeast Asia #52 in Savanna & Grassland
Southeast Asia, Malaysia 1181 spp. recorded

Kinabalu Park is a protected mountain sanctuary in Sabah, Malaysia, dominated by high-altitude grassland and steep montane vegetation. Visitors walk rugged trails through chilly slopes and misty ridges where ancient rock formations meet dense cloud forests. This dramatic elevation gradient creates distinct ecological zones that set the area apart from lowland rainforests.

6.183° N   116.679° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Malcolm’s Pitviper ★
NT

Malcolm’s Pitviper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trimeresurus malcolmi

30–40% · Possible
Kinabalu Slender Litter Frog ★
NT

Kinabalu Slender Litter Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Leptobrachella arayai

20–30% · Possible
Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel ★

Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Sundasciurus everetti

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Bornean Treepie
LC

Bornean Treepie

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Dendrocitta cinerascens

70–80% · Very likely
Indigo Flycatcher
LC

Indigo Flycatcher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Eumyias indigo

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-breasted Warbler

Yellow-breasted Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Seicercus montis

60–70% · Likely
Black-capped White-eye
LC

Black-capped White-eye

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Zosterops atricapilla

60–70% · Likely
Golden-naped Barbet
LC

Golden-naped Barbet

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Psilopogon pulcherrimus

60–70% · Likely
Temminck's Sunbird
LC

Temminck's Sunbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Aethopyga temminckii

60–70% · Likely
Mountain Leaf Warbler
LC

Mountain Leaf Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Phylloscopus trivirgatus

60–70% · Likely
Bornean Whistler
LC

Bornean Whistler

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Pachycephala hypoxantha

60–70% · Likely
Chestnut-crested Yuhina
LC

Chestnut-crested Yuhina

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Staphida everetti

60–70% · Likely
Bornean Whistling-Thrush
LC

Bornean Whistling-Thrush

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Myophonus borneensis

50–60% · Likely
White-throated Fantail
LC

White-throated Fantail

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Rhipidura albicollis

50–60% · Likely
Black-sided Flowerpecker
LC

Black-sided Flowerpecker

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dicaeum monticolum

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel ★

Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Sundasciurus everetti

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Borneo Black-banded Squirrel
LC

Borneo Black-banded Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Callosciurus orestes

40–50% · Likely
Jentink's Squirrel
LC

Jentink's Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sundasciurus jentinki

40–50% · Likely
Tufted Pygmy Squirrel
LC

Tufted Pygmy Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Exilisciurus whiteheadi

40–50% · Likely
Least Pygmy Squirrel
Endemic

Least Pygmy Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Exilisciurus exilis

20–30% · Possible
Mountain Treeshrew
LC

Mountain Treeshrew

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tupaia montana

20–30% · Possible
Prevost's Squirrel
LC

Prevost's Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Callosciurus prevostii

20–30% · Possible
Pale Giant Squirrel
NT

Pale Giant Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Ratufa affinis

10–20% · With luck
Kinabalu Squirrel
LC

Kinabalu Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Callosciurus baluensis

10–20% · With luck
Small-toothed Palm Civet
LC

Small-toothed Palm Civet

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Arctogalidia trivirgata

10–20% · With luck
Maroon Leaf Monkey
VU Endemic

Maroon Leaf Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Presbytis rubicunda

10–20% · With luck
Lesser Treeshrew
LC

Lesser Treeshrew

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tupaia minor

10–20% · With luck
Proboscis Monkey
EN Endemic

Proboscis Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Nasalis larvatus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Bornean Treepie
LC

Bornean Treepie

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Dendrocitta cinerascens

70–80% · Very likely
Indigo Flycatcher
LC

Indigo Flycatcher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Eumyias indigo

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-breasted Warbler

Yellow-breasted Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Seicercus montis

60–70% · Likely
Black-capped White-eye
LC

Black-capped White-eye

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Zosterops atricapilla

60–70% · Likely
Golden-naped Barbet
LC

Golden-naped Barbet

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Psilopogon pulcherrimus

60–70% · Likely
Temminck's Sunbird
LC

Temminck's Sunbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Aethopyga temminckii

60–70% · Likely
Mountain Leaf Warbler
LC

Mountain Leaf Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Phylloscopus trivirgatus

60–70% · Likely
Bornean Whistler
LC

Bornean Whistler

🌙 Nocturnal Bird

Pachycephala hypoxantha

60–70% · Likely
Chestnut-crested Yuhina
LC

Chestnut-crested Yuhina

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Staphida everetti

60–70% · Likely
Bornean Whistling-Thrush
LC

Bornean Whistling-Thrush

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Myophonus borneensis

50–60% · Likely
White-throated Fantail
LC

White-throated Fantail

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Rhipidura albicollis

50–60% · Likely
Black-sided Flowerpecker
LC

Black-sided Flowerpecker

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dicaeum monticolum

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Malcolm’s Pitviper ★
NT

Malcolm’s Pitviper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trimeresurus malcolmi

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Borneo Forest Dragon
LC

Borneo Forest Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonocephalus bornensis

50–60% · Likely
North Philippine Temple Pitviper
LC

North Philippine Temple Pitviper

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Tropidolaemus subannulatus

40–50% · Likely
Green Crested Lizard
LC

Green Crested Lizard

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Bronchocela cristatella

40–50% · Likely
Sabah Bamboo Pitviper
LC

Sabah Bamboo Pitviper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trimeresurus sabahi

40–50% · Likely
Schmidt's Reed Snake
LC

Schmidt's Reed Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Calamaria schmidti

30–40% · Possible
Balu Bow-fingered Gecko
LC

Balu Bow-fingered Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Cyrtodactylus baluensis

30–40% · Possible
Malayan Crested Lizard
LC

Malayan Crested Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gonocephalus grandis

30–40% · Possible
Flat-tailed House Gecko
LC

Flat-tailed House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus platyurus

30–40% · Possible
Blunthead Slug Snake
LC

Blunthead Slug Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Aplopeltura boa

30–40% · Possible
Borneo Skink
LC Endemic

Borneo Skink

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Dasia vittata

30–40% · Possible
Spotted House Gecko
LC

Spotted House Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gekko monarchus

20–30% · Possible
Mocquard's Eyebrow Lizard
LC

Mocquard's Eyebrow Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelturagonia cephalum

20–30% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Kinabalu Slender Litter Frog ★
NT

Kinabalu Slender Litter Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Leptobrachella arayai

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Mossy Bush Frog
LC

Mossy Bush Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Philautus macroscelis

50–60% · Likely
Horned Toad

Horned Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Megophrys nasuta

50–60% · Likely
Black-spotted Rock Skipper
LC

Black-spotted Rock Skipper

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Staurois guttatus

40–50% · Likely
Montane Large-eyed Litter Frog
LC

Montane Large-eyed Litter Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Leptobrachium montanum

30–40% · Possible
Peter's Tree Frog
LC

Peter's Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Nyctixalus pictus

30–40% · Possible
File-eared Tree Frog
LC

File-eared Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Polypedates otilophus

30–40% · Possible
Kinabalu Sticky Frog
NT

Kinabalu Sticky Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Kalophrynus baluensis

30–40% · Possible
Kiau Borneo Frog
LC

Kiau Borneo Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Meristogenys kinabaluensis

30–40% · Possible
Green-spotted Foot-flagging Frog
LC

Green-spotted Foot-flagging Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Staurois tuberilinguis

30–40% · Possible
Kinabalu Slender Toad
LC

Kinabalu Slender Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Ansonia hanitschi

30–40% · Possible
Green Bush Frog
LC

Green Bush Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Philautus bunitus

30–40% · Possible
Yellow-spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog
LC

Yellow-spotted Narrow-mouthed Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Chaperina fusca

30–40% · Possible

Animal Events

🐸

Frog Chorusing Season

JanFebJulAugSepDec

Male frogs of multiple species, including the Black-spotted Rock Frog and Borneo Splash Frog, gather in streams to call for mates during the monsoon season.

Black-spotted Rock Skipper
LC

Black-spotted Rock Skipper

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Staurois guttatus

40–50% · Likely
Green-spotted Foot-flagging Frog
LC

Green-spotted Foot-flagging Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Staurois tuberilinguis

30–40% · Possible
🦎

Pit Viper Hunting Season

JanAugOctDec

The Kinabalu Green Pit Viper and Sabah Bamboo Pitviper become more active, hunting at night in the lower montane forests as temperatures drop.

Sabah Bamboo Pitviper
LC

Sabah Bamboo Pitviper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trimeresurus sabahi

40–50% · Likely
Malcolm’s Pitviper
NT

Malcolm’s Pitviper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trimeresurus malcolmi

30–40% · Possible
🦌

Squirrel Foraging Boom

MarMayJunSepOct

Endemic squirrels like Sundasciurus everetti and Callosciurus orestes engage in synchronized seed dispersal, caching nuts in tree hollows before the dry season.

Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel

Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Sundasciurus everetti

40–50% · Likely
Borneo Black-banded Squirrel
LC

Borneo Black-banded Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Callosciurus orestes

40–50% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
Malcolm’s Pitviper
40–50
20–30
20–30
20–30
30–40
20–30
10–20
30–40
20–30
30–40
5–10
40–50
Kinabalu Slender Litter Frog
<5
10–20
10–20
<5
10–20
20–30
40–50
40–50
50–60
<5
20–30
40–50
Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
60–70
60–70
20–30
30–40
Bornean Treepie
50–60
60–70
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Indigo Flycatcher
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
Yellow-breasted Warbler
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
Black-capped White-eye
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
Golden-naped Barbet
60–70
60–70
80–90
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
Temminck's Sunbird
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Mountain Leaf Warbler
50–60
60–70
70–80
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Bornean Whistler
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Chestnut-crested Yuhina
60–70
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
Bornean Whistling-Thrush
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
White-throated Fantail
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Black-sided Flowerpecker
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
50–60
Animal Events
🐸 Frog Chorusing Season
🦎 Pit Viper Hunting Season
🦌 Squirrel Foraging Boom

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐍 Malcolm's Pitviper Thrives in Mist

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
623
🐒 Mammals
199
🦎 Reptiles
218
🐸 Amphibians
141
1181 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
108 Threatened 3 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
62%
📊
Coverage (246 species at ≥5% of 1181 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
21%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (12 bird)
46% Global avg
0%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
100
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
5
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
36

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Kinabalu Park?

The most likely sightings are Bornean Treepie (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Indigo Flycatcher (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Yellow-breasted Warbler (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Black-capped White-eye (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Golden-naped Barbet (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1181 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Kinabalu Park for wildlife?

March has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Malcolm’s Pitviper in Kinabalu Park?

Yes — about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Malcolm’s Pitviper sighting in Kinabalu Park, based on 38 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Kinabalu Slender Litter Frog in Kinabalu Park?

Yes — about 29% of wildlife watchers report a Kinabalu Slender Litter Frog sighting in Kinabalu Park, based on 37 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel in Kinabalu Park?

Yes — about 46% of wildlife watchers report a Bornean Mountain Ground Squirrel sighting in Kinabalu Park, based on 83 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

Kinabalu Park or ?

Compare species and sighting probabilities

Compare parks

Explore Other Parks

Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary 📍 178 km 🦧 Bornean Orangutan Stronghold Along Wild Rivers

Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

🇲🇾 Malaysia 🌍 #68 Global · 4.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #3 in Southeast Asia #23 in Tropical Forest
Danum Valley Conservation Area 📍 178 km 🐸 Wallace's Flying Frog Gliding Overhead

Danum Valley Conservation Area

🇲🇾 Malaysia 🌍 #83 Global · 4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #5 in Southeast Asia #35 in Tropical Forest
Cat Tien National Park 📍 1193 km 🐒 Gibbon Song at First Light

Cat Tien National Park

🇻🇳 Vietnam 🌍 #6 Global · 4.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #1 in Southeast Asia #2 in Tropical Forest
Bali Barat National Park 📍 1609 km 🦌 Javan Rusa in Dry Monsoon Forest

Bali Barat National Park

🇮🇩 Indonesia 🌍 #156 Global · 3.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #9 in Southeast Asia #74 in Tropical Forest