Gray Langur

Gray Langur or more commonly known as Hanuman Langur is a widespread langur found in most of Southeast Asia. In India the gray langur is more known as Hanuman Langur and seven distinct species are now known, though this is still being debated.

Hanuman Langur are largely gray with a black face. Males grow upto 75cms in length and females upto 65cms in length. Langurs of the south are slightly smaller than the ones from the north. The langurs feed on leaves, buds, flowers and fruits. They also prey on small insects and also eat tree bark and gum. They are highly frugivorous.  The langurs live in groups with a dominant male. Adolescent males who have been expelled from the group form bachelor packs. The bachelor packs will challenge the group alpha male and engage in a fight. If victorious, they will kill all the y0ung ones of the earlier alpha male.

These langurs form the advance warning system in the jungles. Their keen eyesight allows them to see approaching danger and they hoot warning all other denizens of the closeness of the predator.

I saw the ‘Mom and son’ in the above photograph resting by the river at Chinnar. The young one rushed to the comfort of his mother’s embrace as he spotted us approaching the herd.