Phayre’s Langur Trachypithecus phayrei: The Phayre’s Langur is the only colobine that can be found in northern Thailand. Colobines refer to a sub-family of Old World monkeys that are mainly arboreal, have a long tail and lack cheek pouches. Species belonging to this subfamily are characterized by having a reduced first digit on the forelimb, and a large, sacculated stomach containing a diverse array of microflora, similar to that of ruminant ungulates such as cows and goats. Bacteria in the colobines multi-chambered stomach convert cellulose, the basic component of leaves, into volatile fatty acids. This enables colobines to obtain energy from leaves. Secondly, the bacteria deactivate toxins in the food; enabling colobines to consume items that otherwise poisonous to many animals. However, a major disadvantage with the colobine digestive system is that it cannot process readily digestible foods such as sugary fruits. The bacteria would ferment them so rapidly that there would be a sudden build-up of gases and acid in the stomach, termed “acidosis”, which can lead to the monkey’s death. Colobines also avoid foods with excessively high level of protein. These foods lead to an over-production of ammonia and histamine in the stomach which, in turn, can lead to blood and liver disorders. The Phayre’s Langur no longer occurs in the immediate Pang Soong area, but groups can still be seen in the mountains to the east of the area. However, this would require a full day’s hike over difficult terrain just to reach their habitats.

Macaques: This group of omnivorous mammals refers to another sub-family of Old World monkeys that occupy a diverse range of habitats. They possess large cheek pouches that are used for the temporary storage of foods. In Thailand, they are represented by six species, and some macaque populations can readily be seen in and around Buddhist temples, in so much that are often referred as “Temple monkeys”. Based on descriptions provided by local human inhabitants, the macaque species currently found at Pang Soong is either the Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta or the Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis. Macaques are only occasionally encountered at Pang Soong, usually several kilometres up the “Waterfall Trail”, but more frequent encounters can be made in the habitats occupied by Phayre’s Langurs.

Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis: This solitary, arboreal and omnivorous mammal is the only nocturnal primate in Thailand, found in both primary and secondary forests throughout the country, frequently close to rural human habitats. Lorises generally move slowly and deliberately, hence they are known as “slow loris”. However they can move very quickly when striking to kill their prey. At Pang Soong, they can often be seen in fruiting trees close to the village, usually in March and April.

Eurasian Wild Pig Sus scrofa: This species originated from Europe, and is now common to northern Africa and Asia. In Thailand, it can be found throughout the country in forests and plantations, although local populations are likely to vary due hunting pressure. There has also been some interbreeding with domestic pigs in settlements close to forested areas. At Pang Soong, sighting of this animal or its signs is still possible on all forest trails. Some telltale signs of the Wild Pig include tracks, feeding signs usually in the form of shovelled up ground, wallows, mud smears, and nests. Lacking sweat glands, pigs need to wallow usually in mud to avoid overheating and to deter biting insects, and mud smears are often seen on tree trunks where they rubbed their bodies after wallowing. When female Wild Pigs are ready to give birth, she cuts vegetation, using her sharp strong teeth and makes a thick pile over a slightly excavated ground. She then crawls under the pile, and lifts it up until a hollow is formed. When her “nest” is ready, she then delivers her brood. It is strongly advised to maintain a distance from “active” nests, as the mother can be extremely aggressive, and have been known to cause fatal injuries in humans. Wild Pigs are important to the forest ecosystem, as their habit of churning up the ground when feeding helps loosen up and aerate the soil. Besides that, the species forms an important prey base to large carnivores.

Red Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak: The only deer species still extant at Pang Soong. Nevertheless, this animal is the most common and widely distributed deer throughout Thailand, although more or less restricted to forest habitats. Like the Wild Pig, the Red Muntjac is an important prey to large carnivores. Because of its “bark-like” calls when alarmed, this animal is also known as the Barking Deer. At Pang Soong, the wild pig and the Red Muntjac are popular targets of hunters from nearby to distant settlements. Thus, it is not uncommon to see “hunters’ platforms” overlooking trails in this area, especially along the “Historical Trail”. These makeshift platforms comprise cut branches and twigs placed between 4 m - 6 m in trees that offer best viewing over the trails. Local villagers reported that sightings of Wild Pig and Red Muntjac or their signs can usually be made near the resort in November and December.

Hog Badger Arctonyx collaris: Found in many parts of Thailand, this unique animal, about the size of a small dog, has a pig-like snout (hence its name), and strong, large and curving claws. By “virtue” of its bad taste and smell when cooked, therefore it is extremely rarely hunted by humans. Upon encounter with humans, Hog Badgers either go about their own business of foraging or unhurriedly distance themselves. This seemingly docile behaviour is rather misleading, as Hog Badgers instantaneously turn physically aggressive when provoked, and have been known to rip hunting dogs apart. Although nocturnal by nature, Hog-Badgers are frequently encountered during daylight hours. At Pang Soong, the species is mostly restricted to the forest habitats.

Large-toothed Ferret Badger Melogale personata: Much smaller than the Hog Badger and endowed with a dog-like snout instead, the Ferret Badger can be found throughout the country, occupying diverse habitats including rural human habitats. Both Hog Badgers and Ferret Badgers occupy deep crevices and burrows when not foraging. Similarly, humans are not particularly keen on hunting this animal. The presence of Ferret Badgers in an area can be easily detected by a foul smell that they produce usually when threatened, which may linger for several hours. At Pang Soong, the presence of Ferret Badgers can occasionally be detected near the resort.

Flying Squirrels: There are several species of flying squirrels in Thailand. Flying squirrels do not actually fly, but glide from a high location to a lower one. This group of mammals possesses a gliding membrane, called “patagium”, which connects the front legs to the hind legs, enabling them to glide over long distances. Except the Red Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista, all the rest have restricted distributions. Based on descriptions provided by the local villagers, three species occur in Pang Soong, and these are likely to be the Red Giant Flying Squirrel, Phayre’s Flying Squirrel Hylopetes phayrei, and either the Lesser Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista elegans or the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista philippensis. However, these are still subject to confirmation. Nevertheless, flying squirrels may occupy tree hollows seen along various trails, which are therefore worth inspecting.

Porcupines: This group of herbivorous rodent has long, pointed quills on their bodies. The muscles of the skin can erect the quills, which have needle-sharp ends containing hundreds of barbs. There is a popular but incorrect belief that porcupines can project their quills like arrows or darts. Instead, when threatened, a porcupine will spread the quills, turning its back towards the source of threat, and either charge backwards or hold its ground. As the quills come loose quite easily, therefore unfortunate predators are known to die from secondary infections. Two species occur in Thailand, the East Asian Porcupine Hystrix brachyura and the Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine Atherurus macrourus, with the former having a wide distribution. Likewise, both species occur at Pang Soong, although the Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine is locally considered rare.

Bamboo Rats: This group of mammals is not really a rat, as it belongs to a separate family altogether. Bamboo Rats have short, stout, rounded bodies with small eyes and ears, adapted for burrowing. Their diet primarily comprises bamboo roots and shoots, tubers, grass seeds, and fallen fruits. In turn, they make popular food amongst communities living near forests, as their meat is considered exceptionally tasty. Three species occur in parts of Thailand, the Large Bamboo Rat Rhizomys sumatraensis, Hoary Bamboo Rat Rhizomys pruinosus, and Bay Bamboo Rat Cannomys badius. Local human inhabitants in Mae Lai distinguish two species as present in the area, but for the moment it could not be ascertained which two are present.