Tufted gray langur

The tufted gray langur, also known as the Madras gray langur or Coromandel sacred langur, is a fascinating Old World monkey indigenous to Southeast India and Sri Lanka. It primarily feeds on leaves but also relishes fruits, seeds, and other vegetation. Intriguingly, it is one of three Semnopithecus species named after characters from The Iliad.

These langurs possess distinct physical characteristics, with males generally being larger than females. There are two recognized subspecies: one found in India and the other in Sri Lanka.

In Sri Lanka, these monkeys inhabit dry zone forests and are frequently seen around human settlements, including areas of archaeological significance. They are predominantly diurnal, dividing their time between the trees and the ground. They live in complex social groups, which can be led either by a combination of males and females or by a dominant alpha male. Females typically give birth to a single infant following a six-month gestation period.

Regrettably, tufted gray langurs face threats from various predators, such as leopards, black eagles, tigers, dholes, and crocodiles. They are currently listed as "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List due to decreasing populations caused by hunting, habitat destruction, and capture for the pet trade or consumption.

Conservation initiatives are being implemented to protect these unique monkeys in both Sri Lanka and India. Both subspecies are marked as "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List, underscoring the necessity for ongoing protective measures.