Mammals
Francois' Langur
Trachypithecus francoisi · also called Francois langur, Francois's langur
At dawn on a limestone cliff in southern China, a black Francois’ langur with white sideburns climbs out of its cave, its bright orange baby clinging to its chest.
Overview
Francois’ langur, Trachypithecus francoisi, is an Endangered monkey of limestone karst forest in southern China and northern Vietnam. Its black-and-white coat, orange infants, and cave-sleeping habit make it one of the most distinctive leaf monkeys in Asia.
A monkey of the karst
Because it relies on limestone hills for sleeping sites and food, Francois’ langur is closely tied to a landscape that is being quarried and cleared.
Status
Endangered, with a decreasing population.
Francois' Langur: common questions
What colour are baby Francois' langurs?
Infants are born bright orange and darken to black as they grow.
Where does Francois' langur sleep?
It spends the night in caves and on rocky ledges, leaving them by day to feed.
Why is Francois' langur endangered?
It has been hunted for use in traditional medicine and has lost forest to clearing and quarrying.
Where is Francois' langur found?
It lives in limestone karst forest in southern China and northern Vietnam.