LifespanUp to 25 years
Quick Facts
DietLeaves, fruit, flowers, and cultivated crops
HabitatTropical forests with rocky terrain
RangeChina, Vietnam
Francois’ Langurs
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Distinctive Features
François’ langurs, also known as François' leaf monkeys or white side-burned black langurs, are easy to recognise by their black, silky fur and prominent white sideburns stretching from their ears to their cheeks.
Their infants are born bright orange, a colour that gradually darkens to black over several months.
A Specialised Digestive System
François' langurs have a four-chambered stomach, an essential adaptation for processing a primarily leafy diet.
While over half their diet consists of leaves, they also eat seeds, fruits, flowers, bark, and occasionally minerals or insects sourced from cliffs and rock surfaces.
Life Among Limestone
François' langurs thrive in karst landscapes, with limestone cliffs and caves providing a perfect habitat. Their diurnal lifestyle involves foraging and resting throughout the day.
At night, they choose secure sleeping spots on cliff ledges or in caves, making full use of the rocky terrain to minimise the risk of predation.
Together, We Protect Wildlife
Managed Species Programmes
We work with other zoos through Managed Species Programmes to help save threatened species.
This involves the transfer of animals between zoos for breeding so that genetically healthy animal populations can be maintained under human care.
Transfers are based on genetic compatibility, which prevents inbreeding and ensures their genetic integrity. Our Francois’ langurs are part of this effort.
The IUCN Status
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.
DD
Data Deficient
Unknown risk of extinction
LC
Least Concern
At relatively low risk of extinction
NT
Near Threatened
Likely to become vulnerable in the near future
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
EW
Extinct in the Wild
Survives only in captivity
EX
Extinct
No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity
