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Douc Langurs (Pygathrix spp.) Fact Sheet: Summary

Douc Langurs (Pygathrix spp.)

Douc Langurs (Pygathrix spp.) Fact Sheet

Red-shanked douc langur

Red-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus)

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

 

Taxonomy Physical Characteristics

Kingdom: Animalia - animals

Phylum: Chordata - chordates

Class: Mammalia - mammals

Order: Primates - primates

Family: Cercopithecidae - Old World monkeys

Genus: Pygathrix - douc langurs or doucs

Species: Pygathrix cinerea - gray-shanked douc langur (central Vietnam)
Species: Pygathrix nemaeus - red-shanked douc langur (northern Vietnam, Laos)
Species:  Pygathrix nigripes - black-shanked douc langur (southern Vietnam, Cambodia)

Head-body length
Red-shanked, males: 55-63 cm (22-25 in)
Red-shanked, females: 49-57 cm (19-22 in)
Gray-shanked, males: 55-66 cm (22-26 in)
Gray-shanked, females: 51-58 cm (20-23 in)
Black-shanked, males: 55-65 cm (22-26 in)
Black-shanked, females: 54-60 cm (21-24 in)

Tail Length
Red-shanked, males: 52-66 cm (20-26 in)
Red-chanked, females: 42-59 cm (17-23 in)
Gray-shanked, males: 56-65 cm (22-26 in)
Gray-shanked, females: 54-62 cm (21-24 in)
Black-shanked, males: 69-85 cm (27-33 in)
Black-shanked, females: 65-80 cm (26-31 in)

Weight
Red-shanked, males: 8-11.6 kg (18-25.6 lb)
Red-shanked, females: 6-8 kg (13-18 lb)
Gray-shanked, males: 8-12.5 kg (18-27.6 lb)
Gray-shanked, females: 4.7-11.7 kg (10.4-25.8 lb)
Black-shanked, males: 8-11 kg (18-24 lb)
Black-shanked, females: 6-8.2 kg (13-18.1 lb)

Pelage
See species-specific descriptions in General Appearance.

Distribution & Status Behavior & Ecology

Range
Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Vietnam; less known about status in Laos

Habitat
Appear to occupy a variety of forest habitats: hill, evergreen, mixed deciduous, and certain types of tropical forests

IUCN Status
P. cinerea: Critically Endangered (2015 assessment)
P. nemaeus: Critically Endangered (2015 assessment)
P. nigripes: Critically Endangered (2015 assessment)

CITES Appendix
All three species listed on Appendix I.

Populations in Wild
Decreasing. Black-shanked douc langur much more abundant than gray-shanked and red-shanked douc langur. See Population estimates.

Locomotion
Quadrupedal movement through trees; infrequently "swing" from tree to tree

Activity Cycle
Diurnal

Social Groups
Groups range from 3-50 with mixture of males and females; some solitary individuals observed

Diet
Leaves and other foliage; unripe fruit

Predators
Humans and large carnivores

Reproduction & Development Species Highlights

Sexual Maturity
Females: 4-6 years
Males: 4-9 years

Gestation
200-205 days

Litter Size
Single young

Interbirth Interval
11-38 months

Birth Weight
About 460 g (16.2 oz)

Age at Weaning
Begun by 12-13 months

Typical Life Expectancy
Managed care: no AZA estimates

Feature Facts

  • Considerable play in family groups
  • Vocalize infrequently; make very soft sounds
  • Travel throught the rainforest single file
  • Eat plant materials from more than 50 different trees
  • Observed to lick dew off leaves
  • White hairs around a male's face grow with age
  • During pregnancy females become increasingly calm and quiet; don't participate in social activities
  • Loss of forest, hunting, and illegal trade contribution to rapid population declines
  • First successful birth of in managed care at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in August 1969

About This Fact Sheet

© 2003-2020 San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Updates to Physical Characteristics and Conservation Status in 2017. Population and Conservation Status updated Oct 2020.

 

How to cite: Douc Langurs (Pygathrix spp.) Fact Sheet. c2003-2020. San Diego (CA): San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; [accessed YYYY Mmm dd]. http://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/ douclangurs
(note: replace YYYY Mmm dd with date accessed, e.g., 2015 Sep 10)

 

Disclaimer: Although San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance makes every attempt to provide accurate information, some of the facts provided may become outdated or replaced by new research findings. Questions and comments may be addressed to library@sdzwa.org.

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