Feature Animals

On a cool night in Malaysia, scientists track mysterious colugos across the treetops

A reporter tags along for nighttime observations of these elusive mammals

a colugo mother hanging in a tree with a baby colugo peeking over her leg

Colugos are nocturnal, tree-living mammals. This female colugo found in Malaysia was nicknamed “Batwoman” by researchers. A baby colugo clings to its mother for months until it weans.

Night Spotting Project

By Yao-Hua Law

- More than 2 years ago

My companions scanned the treetops with binoculars and a thermal-imaging monocular.