Bengal Sacred Langur (Semnopithecus entellus) lives in tropical forests across Indian subcontinent. It feeds on leaves and fruits. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Bengal Sacred Langur
- The northern plains gray langur can subsist on mature leaves, a dietary trait that allows it to persist when fresh foliage disappears. Its primary diet is fruits and leaves, but it also supplements with seeds, flowers, buds, bark and insects such as caterpillars. By relying on mature foliage, the langur endures the dry season when other food sources are scarce, maintaining body condition until the rains return.
- The langur often associates with chital deer, and the two species respond to each other's alarm calls. Male langurs keep watch from the trees, giving chital an extra layer of safety from predators. In exchange, the langurs profit from the deer's superior sense of smell and hearing, which helps them detect danger earlier. This mutual vigilance strengthens both groups' ability to survive in shared habitats.
- In Delhi, captive northern plains gray langurs are released to frighten away rhesus macaques that steal food and sometimes attack people. The practice exploits the langur's sacred status and its comfort in urban environments, where it thrives alongside humans. Because the species adapts to many habitats and is revered in Hindu culture, large numbers live in towns and cities, making them readily available for such protective roles.
- The northern plains gray langur lives in a remarkable variety of social arrangements, from large mixed-sex troops to single-male harems and even all-male bands. Groups can swell to more than one hundred individuals, although single-male groups are the most frequently observed. When males reach sexual maturity they usually leave their birth troop, while females tend to remain and younger adult females often dominate older ones.
- Adult northern plains gray langurs display a predominantly light-coloured coat, contrasted by black facial features, ears, hands and feet. Their bodies measure between 45.1 cm and 78.4 cm in length, not counting the tail, which adds another 80.3 cm to 111.8 cm. Male weight ranges from 16.9 kg up to 19.5 kg, whereas females are lighter, weighing between 9.5 kg and 16.1 kg.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeIndian subcontinent
HabitatTropical forests
DietLeaves and fruits
About the Bengal Sacred Langur
In the lush canopies of the Indian subcontinent, the Bengal Sacred Langur reigns supreme, its agile form weaving effortlessly through the trees with a fluidity that belies its sturdy build. With a curious gaze and a mischievous glint in its eye, this charismatic primate navigates its realm with a confident air, its long tail streaming behind it like a banner as it leaps from branch to branch. As it moves through the forest, the langur's chattering calls echo through the trees, a joyful cacophony that underscores its remarkable adaptability and enduring presence in this vibrant ecosystem.
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