Indochinese Black Langur

• Common Name: Indochinese black langur
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1995
• Monkey Size: 54 to 59 cm (21.26 to 23.23 in)
• Skin Color(s): Black
• Habitat: Forests
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Native Countries: Laos, Vietnam

The Indochinese black langur^[1] (Trachypithecus selbstus) is a little-known Lutung endemic to Laos and neighboring Vietnam.

• Initially, it was taxonomically described as a subspecies of Trachypithecus auratus (Javan langur) but was later determined to be a member of the Trachypithecus francoisi clade.
• These graceful langurs are long, lean, and muscular, with shiny black fur that covers the entire body and tail.
• The band of white hair that grows on their cheeks acts as a delicate touch of color and gives them a distinguished look.
• Their smooth oval face is crowned by a bristly lock of hair. Their nostrils are slanted downwards, and their eyes are brown. They have five fingers and toes, making them very dexterous.

• Because they live in dense forests and rarely venture outside, observing them in the wild can be difficult.
• Interestingly, baby Indo-Chinese black langurs are orange in color and turn completely black as they grow older.
• Still, scientists report that these primates prefer cliffs facing west or southwest, perhaps because they are warmer than other cliffs.
• Langurs nest in small limestone caves and holes that shelter from predators, rain, and cold.
• Indochinese black langurs prefer walking to suspensory locomotion. However, they choose the latter mode of locomotion when they travel long distances, making it easier for them to swing from branch to branch.
• They live in groups of 5-30 monkeys with an average group size of 15, depending on their environment’s quality.
• Adult males make loud noises upon waking, and the dominant male is likely to be the first to go when the group leaves the sleeping area at dawn to feed for a few hours.