Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Presbytis
Habitat
Banded surilis inhabit primary and secondary rainforests, including lowland and hill forests up to 1,500 meters elevation. They are found in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Thailand, and Sumatra. These monkeys prefer dense canopy cover for protection and foraging.
Diet
Banded surilis primarily eat leaves, fruits, and flowers, with a strong preference for young leaves which make up the bulk of their diet. They are folivorous and feed mainly in the trees during the day, spending several hours foraging to meet their nutritional needs. Feeding behavior includes selective browsing to avoid toxic plants.
Behavior
Banded surilis live in social groups of 5-20 individuals, typically with a multi-male, multi-female structure, and they communicate through vocalizations and facial expressions. They are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in the forest canopy, with territorial behaviors including scent marking and chasing intruders. These monkeys are agile leapers and often rest in groups during the hottest parts of the day.
Conservation Status
The banded surili is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss from deforestation and fragmentation. Population trends are decreasing, with major threats including logging, agriculture expansion, and hunting for the pet trade.