Tufted Grey Langur
Semnopithecus priam
About the Tufted Grey Langur
A large, arboreal monkey with a silver-grey coat, black face, and a distinctive tuft of hair at the tail tip. They live in troops of 10-30 led by a dominant male. Unlike macaques that are comfortable on the ground, langurs spend most of their time in the canopy. Their powerful hind legs propel them across gaps of 20 feet or more in spectacular leaps.
Best Months to Visit
Visible year-round in Wilpattu.
Wilpattu Significance
Common throughout Wilpattu's forested areas. Langurs are the second monkey species in the park alongside the toque macaque. Their loud, guttural alarm call is one of the most reliable indicators of leopard presence. When a langur sounds the alarm, every guide in the area pays attention.
Conservation Status
Near Threatened. Habitat loss is the primary concern, but populations in protected areas like Wilpattu are stable.
Best Locations in Wilpattu
- Manikwila area
- Mahaweva
- Thalawila road
- forested areas near villus
Viewing Tips
- 1Their alarm calls are the most reliable leopard indicator in Wilpattu
- 2Watch for spectacular leaps between trees — they can jump 20+ feet
- 3Infants with bright orange fur are easy to spot against grey adults
- 4Morning hours see the most activity as troops move to feeding areas
Photography Tips
- A langur mid-leap against a blue sky is a dramatic action shot
- Portraits with the black face and grey fur make striking black-and-white conversions
- Use a telephoto to capture them in the canopy without disturbing their natural behavior
- Backlight through the canopy creates rim lighting on their silver fur
Did You Know?
Langur infants are born with bright orange fur that contrasts dramatically with their parents' grey coats. After about 3 months, the orange fades to grey. Biologists believe this bright colour triggers protective behavior from all adults in the troop, not just the mother.
Ready to see the Tufted Grey Langur in the wild? Book a Wilpattu safari with expert naturalists who know exactly where and when to find them.