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Golden Langur, or Gee's Golden Langur, is known by the scientific name of
Trachypithecus geei. An Old World monkey, it was first noticed by the scientific
community in the 1950s only. In the Indian subcontinent, Golden langurs are
found mainly in the foothills of the Himalayas, along the Assam-Bhutan border.
The langurs are considered to be sacred by the Himalayan people.
Physical Traits
The coat of golden langurs is covered with rich golden to bright creamish hair.
The face is black and they have a very long tail, which may measure upto 50 cm
in length. The long tail of the golden langur helps it in balancing itself while
leaping across the branches of trees. It is mainly found inhabiting the forests
of India that have high trees.
Diet
Golden langur is herbivorous and its diet mainly consists of ripe and unripe
fruits, mature and young leaves, seeds, buds and flowers.
Behavior
One can see Golden langurs mainly in groups, which may range from those
consisting of only 8 members to the ones with 50 members. In each group, one
male langur attaches itself with a number of females.
Status
Golden langurs are currently considered to be an endangered species in India.
Presently, their population is around 10,000 only. One of the major reasons for
the dwindling population is the destruction as well as degradation of their
natural habitat by humans.
Sub-species of Golden Langur
* Trachypithecus geei geei
* Trachypithecus geei bhutanensis
Facts about Indian Golden Langur
Kingdom: Animalia
Scientific Name: Trachypithecus geei
Class: Mammalia
Family: Cercopithecidae
Species group: T. pileatus
Species: T. geei
Discovered in: 1950s
Length (tail): Upto 50 cm
Current population: About 10,000
Sub-species: Two
Diet: Leaves, seeds, buds, flowers and fruits |