Gray-shanked douc facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grey-shanked douc langur |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pygathrix
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| Species: |
cinerea
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| Geographic range | |
The grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea) is a type of douc monkey. It lives in the forests of central Vietnam. These provinces include Quảng Nam, Quảng Ngãi, Bình Định, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai.
In 2004, experts thought there were only about 550 to 700 of these langurs left. But in 2016, a new group of over 500 was found in Central Vietnam. This brought the total number to around 1000 individuals.
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About the Grey-shanked Douc Langur
The grey-shanked douc langur was first described in 1997. At first, it was thought to be a type of red-shanked douc. But scientists later found it was different enough to be its own species. They looked at how it was built and its genes. Sometimes, grey-shanked doucs can still have babies with red-shanked doucs.
What They Look Like
Grey-shanked doucs look a lot like red-shanked doucs. They have light grey fur with a pale belly. Their hands and feet are black. Their lower legs are dark grey. Their face is brownish-orange on top, with a white chin. They also have a white throat with an orange-brown band below it.
Male langurs are a bit bigger than females. Males weigh about 10.9 kilograms (24 pounds). Females weigh around 8.2 kilograms (18 pounds).
Daily Life and Behavior
Grey-shanked doucs are active during the day. They spend most of their time in trees. They move by jumping and swinging from branch to branch using their arms. In the past, groups could have up to 50 langurs. Today, groups are much smaller, usually 4 to 15 individuals. Male langurs are usually in charge of the group.
How They Communicate
These langurs use different ways to talk to each other. They use touch, body language, and sounds.
- Sounds: They growl to show they are angry or to warn others. A soft, twittering sound means they are being submissive.
- Touch: They groom each other to remove bugs and to build friendships. This often happens before they rest for the night.
- Body Language: They use facial expressions and different body positions.
- A grimace (a twisted face) shows they are being submissive.
- A "play face" means they want to play.
- Staring can mean they are curious or angry.
- Courtship: Males use special faces to show females they are ready to mate.
Sometimes, group members will "spar" with each other. This is a type of play-fighting where they might slap, pull, or grab each other.
What They Eat
Grey-shanked langurs mostly eat leaves. They are called "folivores" because of this. They also eat other plant parts like seeds, fruits, and flowers. They prefer young leaves and fruit that is not fully ripe.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The breeding season for grey-shanked doucs is usually from August to December. A female is pregnant for about 165 to 190 days.
When a male and female are ready to mate, they make special faces at each other. One might push its jaw forward, shake its head, and move its eyebrows up and down. The other will do the same. This can happen several times. Then, the female will show herself to the male.
Babies are usually born between January and August, when fruits are plentiful. A mother usually gives birth to one baby. The baby weighs about 500 to 720 grams (about 1 to 1.5 pounds). Females can have babies when they are about four years old.
Protecting the Grey-shanked Douc Langur
The grey-shanked douc langur is listed as critically endangered. This means they are at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
Threats to Their Survival
- Hunting: People hunt these langurs for their meat. They are also hunted for traditional medicine. Their bones are used to make "monkey bone balm." Some people believe this balm can help with blood problems, kidney issues, and lack of appetite.
- Pet Trade: Adult langurs are killed, and their babies are taken to be sold as pets.
- War: The Vietnam War also harmed the population. Soldiers sometimes used the monkeys for target practice.
- Habitat Loss: Forests where they live are being cut down. This is called Deforestation. Their homes are also being broken up into smaller pieces, which is called habitat fragmentation. This makes it harder for them to find food and mates.
Conservation Efforts
Laws are in place to stop hunting and protect their homes. While these laws haven't always been strictly followed, things might be changing.
Scientists are studying these langurs to learn more about where they live and how they behave. This information helps experts find better ways to protect them. The Frankfurt Zoological Society has a program in Vietnam. They also work with the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, which helps breed langurs in captivity.
In 2007, the WWF and Conservation International reported finding at least 116 langurs in central Vietnam. This gave hope for their survival. Then, in 2016, a new group of over 500 grey-shanked doucs was found. This was a big discovery for their future!
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