Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Semnopithecus
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical moist deciduous and evergreen forests in southwestern India, such as the Western Ghats. They prefer areas with dense canopy cover for movement and shelter, often near rivers or hilly terrain. Elevation ranges from sea level up to about 1,500 meters.
Diet
Black-footed grey langurs mainly eat leaves, fruits, seeds, and flowers, with a preference for young leaves and ripe fruits. They forage in trees during the day, spending several hours feeding to meet their folivorous needs, and occasionally supplement with insects or bark. Feeding behavior includes selective browsing to avoid toxic plants.
Behavior
They live in multi-male, multi-female troops of 10-50 individuals, with a dominant male leading the group. Black-footed grey langurs are diurnal and highly arboreal, spending most of their time in trees, and exhibit territorial behaviors like vocal calls and displays to defend their range. They engage in social grooming to strengthen bonds and are known for leaping between branches with agility.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Vulnerable, with populations declining due to habitat fragmentation and hunting. Major threats include deforestation from agriculture and infrastructure development.