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Grey Langur- National Icon of India

An integral category of the genus Semnopithecus species, the gray langurs or the most commonly known Hanuman langurs remain popular in the entire South Asian region. They belong to the Old World monkey groups and are popular too. It is known more for being part of Semnopithecus entellus and for it being in the notice for traditional importance in that group. A recommendation came in 2001 to recognize the multiple features of subspecies to grant them full species status henceforth seven such species including this one was recognized for such purpose. Proposal was also for taxonomic classification specified for some species including this one. The evidences procured through genetic assessments advice that Nilgiri langur and those with purple face as part of genus Trachypithecus belonged to Semnopithecus only.

Usually gray langurs are of larger size and are native of forests hence they usually stay in forestry areas although they are equally seen in the urban localities in different parts of India. Such species are common in the places with low to moderate altitudes while those from the Nepal gray and Kashmir gray langur categories are often found in the 4,000 meters or 13,000 ft. in the Himalayan regions.

The term "Hanuman" explains about the Hindu Hanuman deity.

Characteristics

Having black faces and ears such langurs are commonly of grayish color but yellowish appearance of this animal differentiate. Various langur species are differentiated on the basis of external appearance from the color darkness showcased from feet and hands to other features from color of feet or whole body or availability and non-availability of crests. More variations are seen through other features from sizes that mainly vary on the basis of sex. The common phenomenon is that male langurs are comparatively larger than female langurs. Common head-and-body length of this animal is 51 to 79 cm or 20 to 31 in while the length of tails is usually 69 to 102 cm or 27 to 40 in which explain that their bodies are shorter than the tails they possess. An interesting fact is that langurs belonging to south are comparatively small sized then those from northern areas. A male Nepal gray langur was found the heaviest yet at 26.5 kg or 58 lb weight. The largest species in the genus is though those from the Kashmir gray langur category and there is still no consistency in the actual measurements yet. It is notable that larger gray langurs are the key competitors of huge monkey species in the Asian continent. Male and female gray langurs have average weight of 18 kg or 40 lb. and11 kg or 24 lb. respectively.

Tetrapod walks of langurs are typical and so do they remain unique by dividing time for half to wander on trees while rest half on the ground walks. Bipedal hops of this animal especially constant climbing and leaps through descending supports for body fluctuations and leaps are often at 3.7–4.6 m or 12.0–15.0 ft. on horizontal leaps while descending leaps are 10.7–12.2 m or 35–40 ft. in most occasions.

Distribution and Habitat

Whole Indian subcontinent houses gray langur species that can be found in Indian Himalayan in northern region to Sri Lanka in the south and in the eastern Bangladesh while its western home is in Pakistan too and few areas in Afghanistan as well.

It takes no time for gray langurs to adapt numerous habitats easily. It can stay easily in the habitats of deserts and so does it find tropical habitats or rainforests with suitable temperature. Scenarios like coniferous forests and all mountains remain suitable for langur survival. This animal can sustain living at 4,000 m or 13,000 ft. altitudes even while there is snowfall. In fact this animal has attribute to adapt with humans easily hence it can be often witnessed in the towns or in villages especially where agriculture is common and so does it come near the housing areas. Presence of such animals is witnessed in densely populated urban establishments as well. Millions of langurs can be seen in Jodhpur city.

Connection with Indian Mythology

As it is assumed, India’s gray langur also has other names and most notable one Hanuman Langur that have been derived from Hanuman Monkey God from the Hindu faith. Myths are common which Lord hanuman was helped by langurs during the epic battle in Lanka. The time period was that of a scene while monkey God had been surrounded by fire and in such scenario helpful langurs too were burnt so their faces became black. Believers of Hindu religion don’t assault them due to their sacredness.

Diet

In normal circumstances Indian langurs survive on leaves, flowers, buds and fruits that are their common diets. Their diet therefore keep changing from one season to the other as per the availability. Mature leaves are major diets of these animals in the wintertime while fruits are the key diets for them during the summer period. Additional diets for these animals are gums, tree barks and insects et al. Hanuman langurs are powerful enough to eat seeds, soils, stones and various toxins to digest them easily.

Behavior

Under the domination of male langurs, India’s gray langurs always remain in the big groups together. At times the group comprises from 11 to 60 which are definitely huge. Ironically their staying together and domination don’t endure as they groups often wane in usually 18 month time period. Infants of earlier dominant male langur is usually killed the moment a new male starts control over the group. India’s Entellus Langurs group might also develop the group comprising of bachelor langurs as well.

Vocalizations

Unique features of gray langurs are that they are able to make different types of vocalizations as well.

• Adult male langurs make whoops or loud calls especially while they are under display;
• If a predator surprises adult or sub-adult male langurs then if might start barking harshly;
• While in the group movement then both adult and sub-adult males create cough barking sound;
• If having agonistic interaction in the group movement then adult males start grunt barking;
• Most agonistic interactions accompany with rumble screams;
• Group interactions of these animals end with pant barking and loud call noises;
• While facing various situations including agonistic then these animals keep grunting;
• Adult males honk while doing group interactions;
• Common rumblings, while embracing, mounting or approaching somewhere;
• If one group finds another group then the hiccups are common scenes.

Mating Behavior

By the time female langurs reach 3-4 years of age they attain maturity but their male counterparts attain it only after reaching 4-5 years of age group. Both continue with mating only when cross 6th or 7th years of ages. A single infant takes birth after the gestation period of 190 to 210 days in common cases. Giving birth to twin infants at a single time is a rare case. Although the number of males are too many but only high franking males can mate with female langurs. Rest males might find opportunity to mate with the females only in a situation to keep high-ranking males in confidence through sneaking.

Status

The IUCN lists common Indian langurs in lower risk categories.