Cat Ba Langur

• Common Name: Cat Ba Langur
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1898
• Monkey Size: 50 to 60 cm (19 to 23 in)
• Skin Color(s): Black or dark brown
• Habitat: Forests
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Native Countries: China

The White-headed langur^[1], also called the Cat Ba langur, is an endangered species of langur native to Guangxi, China.

• White-headed langurs have slender, long bodies, long limbs, and very long tail (32 to 35 inches/82 to 89 cm).
• The tail is non-prehensile, but it helps them to balance while moving. Their feet and hands are black.
• Their hands have an underdeveloped thumb, and the feet have 5 fingers with an opposable big toe.
• Their bodies are covered in thick black to dark brown hair that is longer at the back, giving them the appearance of wearing a vest.
• A band of light gray hair begins at the lower back and extends to the outside of the thighs. Their shoulders and neck appear wrapped in a shawl of orange-yellow fur.

• Cat Ba langurs are comfortable in trees or ground but prefer steep cliffs where humans can’t set foot.
• These primates have been observed drinking small amounts of salt water, an unusual trait scientists don’t understand. However, they obtain most of their water from vegetation and trapped pockets of rainwater.
• Like most other primate species, white-headed langurs spend much time foraging, resting, and grooming.
• They are very quiet, perhaps due to hunting pressure against noisy individuals.
• Babies are born a deep orange and retain their bright color until around 4 months. After that, however, it takes several years to transition to adult color fully.