Semnopithecus johnii J. Fischer, 1829 - Nilgiri Langur

Subspecies in India

There is dispute over taxonomy of Nilgiri Langur. Previously, this species was put under Trachypithecus based on morphological features. Recent molecular study suggests that Nilgiri Langur is more closely related to Grey Langurs (Semnopithecus Langurs) rather than leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus). 

This species is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).

 

Photo Gallery and Species Biology

Semnopithecus johnii - Nilgiri Langur



Nilgiri Langur is endemic to southern India. It is distributed in southern Western Ghats of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It prefers higher altitudes and it is a canopy dweller. It forages on fruits and leaves. 

Conservation Status:

This species is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/).


According to IUCN Red List assessment population of this species is decreasing at an alarming rate. There is no recent estimate of its population. As per a previous record, there were less than 20,000 individuals surviving in wild. Threat to its existence mainly come from habitat destruction. Anthropogenic activities such as logging, residential and commercial development, expansion of agriculture has resulted in heavy fragmentation. As Nilgiri Langur has a very restricted distribution, it is more prone to extinction due to such anthropogenic activities. Another major threat comes from poaching for flesh, fur and medicine. 

StateJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecNo date
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Andhra Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Assam
Bihar
Chandigarh
Chhattisgarh
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Daman & Diu
Delhi
Goa
Gujarat
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu and Kashmir
Jharkhand
Karnataka
Kerala311
Lakshadweep
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Odisha
Paschimbanga
Pondicherry
Punjab
Rajasthan
Sikkim
Tamil Nadu1
Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
Uttarakhand
West Bengal
Total411

Page citation

Anonymous 2024. Semnopithecus johnii J. Fischer, 1829 – Nilgiri Langur. In Bayani, A., R. Chakravarty, and K. Kunte (Editors) (Chief Editors). Butterflies of India, v. 1.13. Published by the Indian Foundation for Butterflies. URL: https://www.mammalsofindia.org/semnopithecus-johnii, accessed 2024/10/11.