Mammalia > Primates > Cercopithecidae > Semnopithecus
Semnopithecus priam Blyth, 1844 – Tufted Grey Langur
Taxonomic Notes:
Tufted Grey Langur is also known as South-eastern Grey Langur Madras Grey Langur, or Coromandel Sacred Langur. This was once considered as a subspecies of Grey Langur/Hanuman Langur Semnopithecus entellus, but now recognized as a separate species. There are two subspecies recognized viz. S. p. priam which is found in India, whereas S. p. thersites that is distributed in Sri Lanka.
This species is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/)
This species is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/)Semnopithecus priam – Tufted Grey Langur
Juveniles:
Indian and global distribution:
records (based on images):
Identification:
Sexual, seasonal & individual variation:
Status, Habitat and Habits:
This species is recognized by its crest like tuft on head. It is an abundant species in dry forests as well as in human habitations. It mostly feeds on leaves like other Semnopithcus species but can take to mature fruits too. This is a semi-arboreal species that can also frequest forest floors and agricultural lands. Tufted Grey Langur is distributed primarily in eastern side of southern India i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and eastern sides of Kerala. Its another subspecies is distributed in Sri Lanka.
Conservation Status:
This species is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/)
According to IUCN Red List assessment, population of this species is decreasing across its range. There is no assessment of its population, but it is predicted that the population has declined up to 50% in last 30 years and continue to do so on the same rate. Major threats to its survival come from habitat fragmentation owing to human activities such as expansion of agriculture, mining, residential and commercial development. In some parts of its distribution range it is hunted for food.
This species is recognized by its crest like tuft on head. It is an abundant species in dry forests as well as in human habitations. It mostly feeds on leaves like other Semnopithcus species but can take to mature fruits too. This is a semi-arboreal species that can also frequest forest floors and agricultural lands. Tufted Grey Langur is distributed primarily in eastern side of southern India i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and eastern sides of Kerala. Its another subspecies is distributed in Sri Lanka.
Conservation Status:
This species is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/)According to IUCN Red List assessment, population of this species is decreasing across its range. There is no assessment of its population, but it is predicted that the population has declined up to 50% in last 30 years and continue to do so on the same rate. Major threats to its survival come from habitat fragmentation owing to human activities such as expansion of agriculture, mining, residential and commercial development. In some parts of its distribution range it is hunted for food.
References:
Mammalia > Primates > Cercopithecidae > Semnopithecus
Cite this page along with its URL as:
Bayani, A. 2023. Semnopithecus priam Blyth, 1844 – Tufted Grey Langur. A. Bayani, R. Chakravarty, P. Roy, and K. Kunte (editors). Mammals of India, v. 1.13. editors.
http://www.mammalsofindia.org/sp/298/Semnopithecus-priam
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