Lincoln Park Zoo

Common name: Francois' langur
Latin Name: Trachypithecus francoisi francoisi

Class: Mammals
Order:    Primates

Description
Francois’ langurs have black fur with a white stripe stretching from ear-to-ear and a black crest atop the head. Young langurs display bright orange coloring, an adaptation that scientists believe may encourage females in the group to offer care.

Range
Francois’ langurs can be found in the southern Guangxi province of China, northern Vietnam and west-central Laos.

Status
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists the Francois’ langur as endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. Lincoln Park Zoo participates in the Langur Species Survival Plan®, a shared conservation effort by zoos throughout the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Helen Brach Primate House Lead Keeper Bonnie Jacobs serves as the Francois’ langur studbook keeper, maintaining breeding records for langurs in zoos across the country.

Habitat
This primate species occupies dense forests, where they climb through the canopy in search of leaves on which to feed.

Niche
Francois’ langurs feed primarily on leaves. Because leaves are low in nutrients, the monkeys have a multi-chambered stomach that helps them digest their diet. Special bacteria in the stomach also aid the process.

Life History
The species lives in groups consisting of 3–10 individuals. The females show allomothering behaviors, with non-mothers cooperating in their care and feeding of young. Males define their territory with hoarse vocalizations.

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