Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Semnopithecus
Habitat
Tarai grey langurs primarily inhabit subtropical and tropical moist deciduous forests, as well as riverine forests and grasslands in the foothills of the Himalayas. They are found in northern India, Nepal, and parts of Bangladesh, preferring areas with a mix of trees for foraging and sleeping. These monkeys adapt to human-altered landscapes like agricultural edges but thrive in undisturbed forest patches.
Diet
Tarai grey langurs mainly eat leaves, fruits, flowers, and buds, with a preference for foliage from trees like figs and acacias. They are folivorous but supplement their diet with insects and seeds, feeding primarily during the day in groups to forage efficiently. Their feeding behavior includes selective browsing to avoid toxic plants.
Behavior
Tarai grey langurs live in multi-male, multi-female troops led by a dominant male, with groups typically ranging from 10 to 50 individuals. They are diurnal and arboreal, spending much of their time leaping between trees, but they also forage on the ground; they communicate with loud calls to warn of predators. These monkeys exhibit grooming behaviors to strengthen social bonds and can be territorial, defending their feeding areas from rival groups.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List classifies Tarai grey langurs as Vulnerable due to habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture. Major threats include hunting for meat and the pet trade, with populations showing a declining trend.