Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Trachypithecus
Habitat
White-headed langurs inhabit limestone karst forests and hilly terrains in northern Vietnam, often in areas with dense vegetation and cliffs. They prefer elevations between 200-800 meters, where they can access both canopy and ground-level resources. These habitats provide shelter and food sources in tropical and subtropical regions.
Diet
They primarily eat leaves, fruits, and flowers from trees and shrubs, with a preference for young leaves that are more nutritious. Feeding occurs mainly during the day, with langurs spending several hours foraging in the canopy to avoid ground predators. They occasionally supplement their diet with buds and seeds.
Behavior
White-headed langurs live in multi-male, multi-female groups of 10-50 individuals, exhibiting strong social bonds and grooming behaviors. They are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in trees, with territorial males vocalizing to defend their home ranges. They show alarm calls to warn of threats and engage in playful interactions among juveniles.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Critically Endangered due to a declining population from habitat destruction and hunting. Major threats include limestone quarrying and fragmentation of their karst habitats.