Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Trachypithecus
Habitat
Nilgiri langurs primarily inhabit the montane evergreen and moist deciduous forests of the Western Ghats in southern India, often at elevations between 500 and 2,000 meters. They prefer areas with dense canopy cover for protection and foraging, and are also found in plantations and disturbed forests near human settlements.
Diet
Nilgiri langurs mainly eat leaves, fruits, and flowers from a variety of trees, with a preference for young, nutrient-rich foliage. They are folivorous primates that feed during the day, often in the early morning and late afternoon, and supplement their diet with seeds and bark when fruits are scarce.
Behavior
Nilgiri langurs live in multi-male, multi-female groups of 10-20 individuals, led by a dominant male, and exhibit strong social bonds through grooming and vocalizations. They are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in trees, and are territorial, defending their home ranges with alarm calls and displays. These langurs are agile leapers and often rest in groups during the hottest parts of the day.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Nilgiri langur is Vulnerable, with populations declining due to habitat loss from deforestation and fragmentation. Major threats include human encroachment, road accidents, and predation in altered landscapes.