Head to head
Hanuman Langur vs Douc Langur
Hanuman Langur
VS Douc Langur
The Hanuman langur and douc langur are both leaf-eating langurs of Asia, but one is a widespread, revered monkey of the Indian subcontinent and the other a vividly coloured rainforest monkey on the edge of extinction.
| Hanuman Langur | Douc Langur | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Semnopithecus entellus | Pygathrix nemaeus |
| Appearance | A black face, hands, and feet framed by pale grey to buff fur, with a very long tail | A patchwork of grey, black, white, orange, and maroon across the face, limbs, and body |
| Range | Forest, scrub, grassland, and towns across the Indian subcontinent | Rainforest across Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia |
| Diet | Leaves, fruit, flowers, and shoots | Mainly leaves, along with some fruit, flowers, and seeds |
| People | Named for the Hindu monkey god and often tolerated or fed at temples and in towns | Nicknamed the costumed ape by researchers and conservationists |
| Movement and groups | Has long limbs and leaps long distances between trees, living in groups | Spends most of its time high in the rainforest canopy in organised social groups |
| Threats | Habitat loss and persecution in places | Habitat loss and hunting |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a decreasing population | Critically Endangered, with a decreasing population |
Hanuman Langur vs Douc Langur: common questions
Which langur is sacred?
The Hanuman langur, which is named for the Hindu monkey god and is revered in many parts of India.
Which langur is the most colourful?
The douc langur, with a patchwork of grey, black, white, orange, and maroon, which has earned it the nickname costumed ape.
Where do the Hanuman and douc langurs live?
The Hanuman langur lives across the Indian subcontinent, while the douc langur lives in rainforest in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.