Wildlifeof Sri Lanka
Purple-faced Langur
Monkeys & Lorises
Photo: Matthew Blissett · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Semnopithecus vetulus
Basic stats
Diet
Mostly leaves, favouring young leaves; also fruit, flowers and seeds
Habitat
Rainforest, evergreen, semi-deciduous and montane forest in the wet zone
Gestation period
6-7 months
Size
50-67cm body male, 45-60cm female
Weight
7-9kg male, 5-8kg female
The purple-faced langur has a dark brown to black face, with fluffy cream-coloured fur along the jawline like a beard. The body is dusty grey to dark brown or black, darkening at the hands and feet. The tail is longer than the body. Males weigh 7 to 9 kg and females 5 to 8 kg (New England Primate Conservancy).
It eats mostly leaves, favouring young ones, with fruit, flowers and seeds, and takes cultivated fruit such as jackfruit and bananas when available. It lives in the wet zone, including Sinharaja, Kitulgala and Horton Plains. Groups are usually one male with up to seven females, or bachelor groups. Gestation is 6 to 7 months. Nationally Endangered (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).
Quick answers
- What does the Purple-faced Langur eat?
- Mostly leaves, favouring young leaves; also fruit, flowers and seeds
- What habitat does the Purple-faced Langur live in?
- Rainforest, evergreen, semi-deciduous and montane forest in the wet zone
- How long is the gestation period of the Purple-faced Langur?
- 6-7 months
- How big is the Purple-faced Langur?
- 50-67cm body male, 45-60cm female
- How much does the Purple-faced Langur weigh?
- 7-9kg male, 5-8kg female