Family Cercopithecidae Scientific name Semnopithecus hector | Phylum Chordata Genus Semnopithecus Rank Species | |
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Similar Blackâfooted gray langur, Kashmir gray langur, Nepal gray langur, Shortridge's langur, Southern plains gray langur | ||
Tarai gray langur semnopithecus hector
The Tarai gray langur (Semnopithecus hector) is an Old World monkey, and was formerly considered a subspecies of the northern plains gray langur. The species is listed as Near Threatened, as there are probably not many more than 10,000 mature individuals, and it is experiencing a continuing decline.
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It is one of several Semnopithecus species named after characters from The Iliad, along with Semnopithecus ajax and Semnopithecus priam.
Distribution and habitat
Tarai gray langurs are native to Bhutan, northern India and Nepal, where they inhabit the Himalayan foothills from Rajaji National Park to southwestern Bhutan. They live in the moist deciduous forest of the Siwaliks, to oak forest in higher altitudes ranging from 150 to 1,600 m (490 to 5,250 ft) in elevation.
Ecology and behaviour
Tarai gray langurs are arboreal, mainly terrestrial, diurnal, folivorous, and occur in multi-male multi-female groups. They have been observed feeding in orchards and crop fields outside of Rajaji National Park.