Squirrel

Local Name

Plantain Squirrel

Scientific Name

Tupaia glis

Family

Tupaiidae

Tupai (Plantain Squirrel / Treeshrew) is a small, agile mammal commonly found in trees across Southeast Asia. It features a slender body, sharp claws for climbing, a pointed snout, and a bushy tail. Active mainly during the day (diurnal), its diet consists of fruits, seeds, small insects, and nectar. In Bali, it is locally known as Semal and is frequently spotted in coconut groves, tropical gardens, and lush forest areas.

Local Name

Latin Name

English Name

Bali Name

Type

Other Fauna

Mozambique Tilapia

The Mozambique Tilapia is a freshwater fish native to southeastern Africa, widely introduced to tropical regions including Bali. Characterized by its dull greyish-green coloration and high adaptability to various aquatic environments, it feeds primarily on algae, aquatic plants, and detritus. Widely cultivated in Balinese aquaculture and freshwater ponds, it serves as a popular and essential local food source.
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Ant

Ants are highly social insects belonging to the family Formicidae, living in organized colonies with specialized roles such as workers, soldiers, and queens. Known for their incredible strength relative to their size, communication via chemical scents (pheromones), and complex nest building, ants feed on honeydew, nectar, seeds, and small insects. They play a vital ecological role in Bali’s tropical gardens and natural landscapes as soil aerators, decomposers, and seed dispersers.
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Butterfly

Butterflies are beautifully winged insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera. They undergo a complete metamorphosis, progressing through four distinct stages: egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa), and adult butterfly (imago). Renowned for their vibrant wing patterns formed by tiny, delicate scales, these insects are diurnal—active mainly during the day—and play a vital role as natural pollinators for flowering plants.
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Koi

Koi are domesticated ornamental varieties of the Amur carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) widely kept in outdoor ponds and water gardens for decorative purposes. Renowned for their striking color variations—including white, red, black, yellow, and orange—koi are active, friendly freshwater fish that symbolize good fortune, strength, and perseverance. They can grow quite large, live for several decades with proper care, and thrive in clean, oxygen-rich freshwater environments.
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Gecko

The common house gecko is a small, nocturnal reptile widely found across tropical regions. Characterized by its soft, pale skin and specialized adhesive toe pads, it can easily scale smooth vertical walls and ceilings. Feeding mainly on mosquitoes, flies, and small insects, this agile reptile plays an essential role in natural pest control and is a familiar presence around Balinese homes, gardens, and resort spaces
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Garden Lizard

Lizards are scaled, cold-blooded reptiles characterized by long bodies, four agile legs, and typically a long tail that can detach as a defense mechanism against predators. Active during the day (diurnal), they bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature and feed primarily on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates. Agile and alert, lizards are a common sight darting through tropical gardens, stone walls, and natural landscapes across Bali, playing an important role in controlling local insect populations.
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