Mammals on Monday 17 - Gray Langur

The Gray Langur (Semnopithecus entellus) is the most widespread of all the Langur species found in India.  In what is becoming a predictable theme, the classification of all of the types of Langur found in India is highly complex, apparently changeable almost by the day, and deeply confusing!

The Gray Langur found across northern and central India. They are highly adaptable, living in forests, dry grasslands, and even cities. 

The fur of adults is mostly light coloured, with darker fur on the back and limbs, and the face, ears, hands and feet are all black. Very young individuals are brown. Body size excluding the very impressive tail varies from about 45 cm to 78 cm.  The tail length varies between 80 and 110 cm (44.0 in). Adult males are generally larger than the females.  This species tends to live in groups, with groups sizes in excess of 100 often being found. 

The Gray Langur can often be found with Chital Deer.  Both species seem to benefit from the vigilance of the other in detecting predators.  I first saw this species in Ranthambore National Park, where tigers are a distinct risk to both species!

I'm rather fond of the sequence of images showing an individual, presumably a female, involved in a bit of tail maintenance! 

Hope all is well.  SM