Order : PRIMATES
Family : Cercopithecidae
Species : Trachypithecus cristatus

Head-body length : 41-54 cm
Tail length : 60-76 cm
Weight : 4.0-6.5 kg

The Silvered Langur mainly inhabits coastal forests, mangrove, riverine habitats and swamp forest, including degraded secondary habitats. In parts of Borneo, however, it may occur inland. It feeds mainly on leaves, but will also consume seeds, fruits, flowers and young shoots.

Its body fur is dark grey, with a silvery sheen in strong sunlight, and its face is dark grey or black. Reddish variants have been recorded from parts of eastern Sabah, Borneo. Young infants are orange, but this rapidly becomes dark grey after three months. Adults possess a crest, which develops in late infancy.

The Selangor Silvered Langur Trachypithecus selangorensis, which occurs along the west coast of the malay peninsula, was formerly considered to be part of this species, but is now sometimes classified as a separate species.

The Silvered Langur occurs in Sumatra and islands to the east (Bangka, Belitung, Lingga, Riau Islands), the Natuna Islands and parts of Borneo (including all three political units under which the island is administered, namely Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia).

Figs 1 and 2 : Female with orange infant in coastal forest at Bako National Park, Sarawak, Borneo.

Fig 3 : The fur of this older infant has already changed from bright orange to various shades of grey.

Fig 4 : Adult male at Bintan Island, Riau Islands, Indonesia.


References :

Payne, J., Francis, C.M., 1998. A Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo. The Sabah Society.

Roos, C., Boonratana, R., Supriatna, J., Fellowes, J. R., Groves, C. P., Nash, S. D., Rylands, A. B & Mittermeier, R. A. (2014). An updated taxonomy and conservation status review of Asian primates. Asian Primates Journal : 4(1): 2-28.