Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
Fig 5
Fig 6
Fig 7
|
Order : PRIMATES
Family : Cercopithecidae
Species : Presbytis femoralis
Head-body length : up to 59 cm
Tail length : up to 76 cm
Weight : maximum approx. 7.5 kg
Alarm call of Presbytis
femoralis
►
Presbytis femoralis (Raffles' Banded Langur, Banded Leaf Monkey) inhabits primary forest, mature secondary forest and
swamp forest. It is active by day, particularly in the morning and late
afternoon, and is mainly arboreal (although in some parts of Thailand the
species is known to descend to the ground). Its diet includes new leaves,
and forest fruits.
This species is generally
shy in nature: males will quickly alert their troupe to the presence of any
threat, including the proximity of humans, with a loud repetitive
''chi-chi-chi' call, and the troupe will quickly move away to a quieter
area. Troupes generally number up to 5 or 6 individuals, and adult
males may be solitary.
Their dorsal fur is dark
grey-brown to blackish, and the underside is paler. The face is darker
than most other species of leaf monkey, although the upper and lower lips are
generally pale. The inner part of the thigh is white. Infants can be locally
white or beige in colour.
The Singapore population
of Raffles' Banded Langur is considered to be highly endangered: based on
studies in early 2010 it is estimated there are only around 40 to 60 individuals
surviving.
Figs 1 to 3 : Typical examples of P. femoralis
from lowland forest-edge settings.
Fig 4 : Family group, including a young infant at the edge of
Singapore's central forests. The infant is reaching out to grasp a fresh
leaf.
Fig 5 : This infant is still sufficiently young to have pure white fur
on its chest and belly.
Fig 6 : Adult leaping across the gap between two trees. Singapore.
Fig 7 : A young adult has a peaceful encounter with a
Long-tailed Macaque at Lower
Peirce, Singapore.
References :
Francis, C.M. 2019. A Field Guide to the Mammals of South-east Asia. Second
Edition. New Holland. 416 pp.
Lekagul, B., McNeely, J., 1977. Mammals of Thailand. Association for the
Conservation of Wildlife, Thailand. 758 pp.
Nijman, V., Geissman, T. & Meijaard, E. 2008. Presbytis femoralis.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T18126A7665311.
|
