Hose's langur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hose's langur |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Presbytis
|
| Species: |
hosei
|
 |
|
| After taxonomic revisions, the remaining range for Hose's langur is that shown as P. h. hosei and P. h. everetti | |
The Hose's langur (Presbytis hosei) is a type of monkey found only on the island of Borneo. These monkeys are part of the primate family, just like humans. They live in countries like Brunei, Indonesia (in a part called Kalimantan), and East Malaysia.
Hose's langurs usually live in dry forests in warm, tropical areas. Sadly, their homes are disappearing. This is a big reason why they are now considered an endangered species. Scientists first officially identified them in 1985 in a place called Kutai National Park in Indonesia.
Contents
About Hose's Langur Species
Different Types of Langurs
Some monkeys that were once thought to be types of Hose's langur are now seen as separate species. For example, Miller's langur (P. canicrus) and the Saban grizzled langur (P. sabana) used to be considered subspecies. But now, they are recognized as their own distinct species.
There were also two other forms, P. h. hosei and P. h. everetti, that were once thought to be different subspecies of Hose's langur. However, P. h. everetti is no longer considered a separate subspecies. This is because the original idea that it was different came from comparing a young female monkey with an adult male.
Why Hose's Langur is Endangered
Losing Their Homes
In 1996, Hose's langurs were quite common in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. But by 2003, their numbers had dropped by a lot, sometimes by 50% to 80%. This sudden decrease happened for a few important reasons.
One major reason is the rapid loss of their habitat. People are cutting down forests very quickly. This means the langurs have fewer places to live and find food.
Other Threats to Langurs
Another reason for their population drop is the demand for something called "bezoar stones." These are hard lumps that can form in the stomachs of some animals. Some people believe these stones have special powers, which leads to hunting of the langurs.
Sometimes, langurs are also hunted because they might eat crops grown by people. This can cause problems for farmers.
Where Langurs Can Thrive
Hose's langurs prefer tall trees with lots of branches and thick canopy cover. They don't like areas with a lot of low-level plants. As forests are destroyed, these monkeys keep losing the specific kind of home they need to survive.
Almost every known area where these primates live has been badly affected by human activity. The only places that are relatively safe are the very deepest parts of the forests, which humans have not yet touched.
