Kashmir gray langur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kashmir gray langur |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Semnopithecus
|
| Species: |
ajax
|
 |
|
| Kashmir gray langur range | |
The Kashmir gray langur (Semnopithecus ajax) is a type of Old World monkey. It is one of the many langur species. These monkeys are special because they mostly eat leaves.
This langur lives in parts of India and Pakistan. In India, it is found in the Chamba Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It also lives in Machiara National Park in Pakistan.
Sadly, the Kashmir gray langur is an endangered species. This means there are not many left. Their homes are shrinking because of farming and building.
The Kashmir gray langur used to be seen as a subspecies of another langur. Its scientific name, Semnopithecus ajax, comes from a character in an old Greek story called The Iliad. Other langurs are also named after characters from this story.
Life in the Wild
Kashmir gray langurs spend most of their time in trees. This means they are arboreal. They are also active during the day, which makes them diurnal.
These langurs live in cool temperate and high alpine forests. They can be found in forests very high up in the mountains. In fact, they live at the highest elevation of any non-human primate. They can be found from about 1,500 to 4,733 meters high.
Reproduction and Family Life
Kashmir gray langur babies are usually born between January and June. Almost half of all babies arrive in March.
Young langurs stay with their mothers for a long time. They are weaned, meaning they stop drinking milk, around 25 months old. This is older than most other Asian langurs. It seems they need more time to grow strong.
Female langurs usually have a new baby about every 2.4 years. Older langurs often help care for the young ones. This is called Alloparental care. Male langurs are also known to protect the babies.
Social Groups
Most Asian langur groups have one adult male and several females. But Kashmir gray langurs can live in larger groups. These groups might have as many as five adult males living together.
