Categories
Species Guide: Urban Mammals

Langurs

Written by Syuhada Sapno
Photos by Syuhada Sapno
& Nurul Fitrah Marican

Dusky langur, Lotong chengkong
Trachypithecus obscurus

Fur colour of adults is greyish brown, dark grey and sometimes blackish. Easily identifiable with a white ring-like shape around its eyes. Infants are pale yellow to orange in colour. Troop size ranges from 8 to 20 individuals.

Silvery langur, Lotong kelabu
Trachypithecus cristatus

Adult has dark grey fur with a silvery sheen, and black hands and feet. Its head has crested fur. Similar to dusky langurs, the infants are pale yellow to orange in colour.

Local name: Lotong cengkung, lotong chengkong, lutong bercelak

Activity pattern: Diurnal

Ecological function: Seed disperser

Level in food chain: Primary consumer, but sometimes seen feeding on insects

Feeding behaviour: Primarily folivorous – herbivores that feed on leaves

Food items: Young leaves, leaf shoots, fruits, flowers

Microhabitat: Inhabits a range of forest habitats. Sometimes seen in urban parks that are located close to forest edge

Local name: Lotong kelabu

Activity pattern: Diurnal

Ecological function: Seed disperser

Level in food chain: Primary consumer

Feeding behaviour: Primarily folivorous – herbivores that feed on leaves

Food items: Young and matured leaves, fruits, seeds, flowers

Microhabitat: Normally found at coastal and riverine habitats in Peninsular Malaysia