Langurs

Langur is a common name for several species of Old World monkeys within the subfamily Colobinae, native to Asia. The term has traditionally referred to genera such as Semnopithecus, Presbytis, and Trachypithecus, with some taxa reassigned as taxonomy has been revised; among the best-recognized groups are the Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus entellus) and the silvered langur (Trachypithecus cristatus). Langurs are typically medium-sized and arboreal, with long tails and a variety of coat colors that range from gray and black to golden. They possess the sacculated stomachs characteristic of colobines, enabling efficient digestion of leaves and other tough plant matter.

Their diet is primarily folivorous but opportunistic, including fruits, seeds, and flowers. They inhabit forests, woodland margins, and sometimes urban areas, from the Indian subcontinent east through Southeast Asia to southern China. Social organization varies by species and can include multi-male, multi-female groups or one-male units within larger troops. Communication includes vocalizations, facial expressions, and scent marking.

Conservation status is mixed; many langur species are threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, hunting, and live capture for the pet trade. Protected areas and national laws help, but some populations remain vulnerable or endangered. Langurs play significant ecological roles as folivores in forest canopies and as prey for larger predators. Names of some species, like the silvered langur or capped langur, reflect distinctive coloration or features used in field identification.