dusky leaf monkey
Adorable Monkeys from Sumatran
Owing to its interesting looks, appearance and adorable size, the dusky leaf monkey or spectacled Langur is listed among the cutest animals in the world.
The different subspecies are differentiated by the colour of their fur. These monkeys are very docile and calm in contrast to other monkeys.
It is always fun to watch these small creatures move around on high trees and spend their time relaxing, grooming and searching for food.
Mammal
Tropical Rainforest
Asia
Thailand, Java and Sumatra
Herbivore
Snakes, large birds of prey and humans
Fruits, leaves and flowers
42 - 61 cm (1.4 - 2 ft)
5 - 9 Kg (11 - 20 lbs)
15 years
Group
Habitat
Location
Origin
Diet
Predator(s)
Prey
Size
Weight
Life Span
Behaviour:
Details on communication in these monkeys are scant. However, we know that they use vocalizations to protect their territories from other members of the species. Like other primates, tactile communication (e.g. grooming, playing, mating, aggression) and visual communication (e.g. facial expressions and body postures) are probably both inmportant in these monkeys.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Habitat:
Dusky leaf monkeys are primarily folivorous (a herbivore specialized in eating leaves) and thrive on consumption of flowers, shoots, seedlings, leaves and fruits. They can also consume unripe fruits and plant leaves.
Maintain price:
This is possible due to the presence of bacteria in the digestive system of the monkey which can break down cellulose. The dusky leaf monkey consumes 2 kg of food every day (while weighing only 5-9 Kg!)
Case studies:
Dusky langur is also trafficked in the exotic pet trade (an illegal network that seems to have increasingly moved online in recent years) because of his cute, petite features.
Monkeys are the most common non-human primates held by private individuals. At the age of two, monkeys begin to exhibit unpredictable behavior. Males tend to become aggressive, and both males and females bite to defend themselves and to establish dominance. Reported have been many monkey bites that resulted in serious injury to the individual who possessed the animal, to a neighbor, or to a stranger on the street. According to the CDC, 52 people reported being bitten by macaque monkeys between 1990 to 1997. CDC reported, however, that “owners of pet macaques are often reluctant to report bite injuries from their pets, even to their medical care providers” for fear that their animal will be confiscated and possibly killed.
Risk involves:
MONKEY pox, caused by monkey virus, including herpes B, a cause of human tissue cancer picked by humans from vaccination against polio, continued to top the Nigerian health talk chat last week. More deaths from monkey pox were reported as this viral disease spread to more states.
Licensing:
Govt. wild pet licensing is required.
more details: http://eol.org/pages/311201/details
Conservation Status & Ecological Importance:
Classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (2).
Not much information is available on the conservation status of the spectacled langur/dusky leaf monkey. The dusky leaf monkey has been categorized under near threatened by the Red list category and criteria. The locations of the species have shown extensive urbanization leading to a loss of habitat, resulting in a decline of the species. Currently, the population trend of the species is decreasing.
The majority of reasons for the noticed decline of this species includes loss of habitat, urbanization, and human interventions. The monkeys are also hunted down by humans for food.
The dusky leaf monkey plays a major role in the ecology of the forest. They are important for the dispersion of seeds as they thrive primarily on foliage. They also have an impact on the food chain as they serve as prey for various other species of animals.
