Banded Surili (Presbytis femoralis) lives in tropical rainforest across Southeast Asia. It feeds on leaves and fruits. Its conservation status is Critically Endangered.
Fascinating facts about the Banded Surili
- At just under a foot long without its tail, the Raffles' banded langur measures 43.2 to 61.0 cm (17.0 to 24.0 in), while its tail adds another 61.0 to 83.8 cm (24.0 to 33.0 in), making it a strikingly long-tailed primate. It tips the scales at only 5.9 to 8.2 kg (13 to 18 lb), a weight comparable to a large house cat.
- Singapore's last stronghold holds only about 60 langurs in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, a dramatic drop from historic abundance. The group fell to as few as 10-15 individuals before climbing to roughly 40 by 2012, 60 by 2019, and about 70 by 2022. A separate survey notes the island now hosts fewer than 80 individuals, up from 40 in 2011, showing a rare but fragile rebound. Each surviving monkey represents a critical genetic thread; losing even a handful could push the whole population toward extinction.
- In the wild, these monkeys usually travel in small troops of 3 to 6, but a Perawang, Sumatra study recorded mixed-sex groups averaging 11 members, with one adult male for every 4.8 adult females and 1.25 adults per immature. Each group roams a home range of about 22 ha (54 acres) and lives at a density of 42 individuals per square kilometre (110 per sq mi).
- The langur's gut hosts specialized bacteria that let it break down tough leaves and unripe fruit. In Perawang, nearly 60 % of its meals were fruits and seeds, another 30 % were young leaves, while a separate study found fruit made up 49 % of intake. Unlike some monkeys, it crushes the seeds it eats, so it does not act as a major seed-disperser.
- Less than 1 % of Singapore's original primary forest survives, and only about 4.3 % of its 20 % secondary forest is high-quality mature habitat. The 99.8 % loss of primary dipterocarp forest leaves under 200 ha of suitable trees, forcing langurs into isolated patches. Conservation plans launched in 2016 call for rope bridges and artificial corridors like Eco-Link@BKE to reconnect these fragments. Without such links, roads and powerlines become insurmountable barriers, risking inbreeding and eventual extinction of the already tiny population.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeSoutheast Asia
HabitatTropical rainforest
DietLeaves and fruits
About the Banded Surili
In the lush, vibrant canopy of Southeast Asia's tropical forests, the banded surili monkey weaves an intricate path, its agile form darting effortlessly between the slender branches of its arboreal realm. With eyes bright as polished onyx, this rare and elusive creature navigates its domain with a quiet confidence, its striking banded fur a testament to the beauty and diversity of the natural world. As it leaps from tree to tree, the surili's gentle, almost ethereal presence belies the resilience and cunning required to survive in a world where its very existence is under threat.
Hear the Banded Surili, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
