Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Pygathrix
Habitat
Black-shanked doucs primarily inhabit lowland and montane rainforests in central Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. They prefer dense, undisturbed forests with plenty of canopy cover for movement and feeding. These areas often include riverine forests and limestone karsts, where they can find shelter and food resources.
Diet
Their diet consists mainly of leaves, fruits, flowers, and buds, with a preference for young, tender foliage. They are folivorous and spend much of their day foraging in the treetops, often feeding during the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. This selective feeding helps them obtain necessary nutrients while minimizing toxins from certain plants.
Behavior
Black-shanked doucs live in social groups of 4 to 15 individuals, typically led by a dominant male, and exhibit strong bonding through grooming and vocalizations. They are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in the trees to avoid ground predators, and are known for their agile leaps between branches. These monkeys can be territorial, defending their feeding areas with alarm calls, and they often rest during the hottest parts of the day.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Black-shanked douc is Endangered, with populations declining due to habitat loss from deforestation and hunting. Major threats include illegal wildlife trade and fragmentation of their forest habitats.