The Langurs, Mountain Monkeys
The langures are little-known Asian monkeys, although in some countries, such as India, they are considered sacred. They are animals very linked to mythology, with a similar role in Hindu folklore in relation to the raven in Nordic culture or the wolf in Iberian culture.
They are medium-sized arboreal primates characterized by their funny appearance, their long tails and beautiful fur. Many of them live with humans, and although their sacred nature protects them, they are sometimes chased for their skin or to produce ineffective ointments.
The langur of Hanuman, the monkey god
Common langurs are considered a reincarnation of the god Hanuman, so this primate can be found living in many cities, although he generally prefers to live in the wild. On some festivities, offerings are even given to them.
With gray fur, face and black hands, he is said to have acquired this appearance when he set fire to a demon city in Sri Lanka, burning himself in the process. Though they are sacred, their contact with man has led them to become accustomed to stealing crops.
This species recently gained international fame when it was recorded with a robot that imitated one of its offspring. The imitation was sent away, which made the group of langurs think that one of their cubs had died.
This video gave very tangible evidence of how these animals suffer the death of their fellow animals , and as a result, there was a kind of impromptu funeral between them.
The golden langurs of the mountain
The flat-nosed golden langur is one of the most curious. These mountain langurs live at an altitude of up to 3,400 meters in the icy Sichuan Mountains.
When they can, they feed on leaves and fruits, since langurs are primates strongly attached to trees. Its flat nose is believed to allow it not to freeze and, along with its thick fur, make great adaptations to this climate. Unfortunately, these blue-faced primates are hunted for their fur.
White-headed Langur, the most threatened
One of the rarest species is the white-headed langur – a primate that is considered the most threatened in Asia, on the brink of extinction: only 70 specimens of the species remain.
His main habitat is Cat Ba Island, a small rocky island where he uses caves to sleep. The Münster Zoo started its conservation program in the year 2000, which is starting to bear fruit now that hunting of the animal has been banned.
All langurs have something in common: no matter if they live in remote areas or are spread over much of Asia, the man is one of the greatest threats these primates who live between the sacred and the mundane.
