Langur Monkey

The langurs, genus Presbytis, also called leaf eating or leaf monkeys, are a group of 14 species of long tailed, tree dwelling monkeys of southern Asia. Their habitats range from sea level, dry-zone forests, through tropical rain forests, to snow covered trees at attitudes of 4000 m (13 000 ft). Langurs are 43 to 79 cm (17 to 31 in) long, have a tail 49.5 to 109 cm (19.5 to 43 in) ling, and weight from 3 to 21 kg (6.5 to 46 lb).

The fur is rather long and often forms a crest or cap on the head and prominent ridge above the eyes. Coloration is generally brownish grayish, or blackish, with lighter underparts. Langurs subsist largely on a diet of leaves. They live in troops of 3 to 120 individuals. Four other species in the same family, Cercopithecidae, are also called langurs; the douc langur, Pygathrix nemaeus, of Indochina; the snub nosed langurs. Rhinopitecus roxellanae of western China and R. avunculus of North Vietnam; and the Mentawi Island langur, Simias concolor, from islands off the west coast of Sumatra – Indonesia.

The hanuman langur is considered in India symbol of self sacrifice. Folktales tell how this langur got its black face and hands by being scorched in a fire while helping his master.