Thursday, February 13, 2025

The purple-faced langur

by damith
February 2, 2025 1:09 am 0 comment 671 views

The purple-faced langur (Semnopithecus vetulus) is endemic to Sri Lanka, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. Known for its striking appearance, this langur has a distinct face with purple or dark-coloured skin, which is where it gets its name from.

Physical characteristics

Face and Fur: The purple-faced langur has a black or dark purple face with a patch of white fur around it, giving it a very distinctive appearance. Its body fur is typically grayish or brown, and it has a long tail, which is often used for balance while moving through the trees. These monkeys are medium-sized, with males typically being larger than females.

Habitat

Purple-faced langurs are found in the lowland and mountain forests of Sri Lanka. They are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in the trees, and are usually found in tropical and subtropical forested areas. While they are typically found in lower altitudes, purple-faced langurs also inhabit highland regions of Sri Lanka, specifically in forests at elevations up to 2,000 metres (about 6,500 feet) above sea level.

Diet

Purple-faced langurs are mainly herbivores, feeding on a variety of plant materials. Their diet consists of leaves, fruits, flowers, seeds, and young shoots. They have specialised adaptations for digesting tough, fibrous plant material and their digestion process can take several hours.

Behaviour and Social Structure

Purple-faced langurs live in small groups, usually consisting of one dominant male, several females, and their offspring. These groups can be quite territorial, and they communicate with each other through vocalisations and body language. They are diurnal (active during the day) and spend a lot of their time foraging and resting on the treetops.

Intelligent problem solvers

Like many primates, purple-faced langurs are quite intelligent. They have been observed using their problem-solving abilities to find food, especially in environments where resources are scarce or difficult to access.

Conservation status

The purple-faced langur is endangered, largely due to habitat loss caused by deforestation and human encroachment. Logging, agricultural expansion, and urban development have led to a loss of their natural habitat.

They are sometimes hunted or captured for the illegal pet trade. The purple-faced langur is considered Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat loss due to deforestation, as well as human-wildlife conflict, are significant threats to their survival, hunting for bush meat and the pet trade have contributed to their decline. Conservation efforts are under way to protect their natural habitat, but their populations are still at risk.

Interesting facts

The purple-faced langur is a close relative of the other langur species found in South Asia, such as the lion-tailed macaque and the hanuman langur. Despite their name, the “purple” colouration on their face can appear more blackish or dark blue, depending on lighting and the individual.


Endemic Animal Spotlight

Hello Children!
Starting this week, we’re bringing you something exciting—a special series about endemic animals! These are animals that live only in Sri Lanka and nowhere else in the world. Get ready to explore the colourful and fascinating wildlife that makes our beautiful island so unique. Don’t miss out on the fun and learning as we take you closer to Sri Lanka’s amazing animal kingdom!

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