🦷👶 #Dentistry experts at the University of #Illinois #Chicago explain why humans grow baby teeth first, then adult teeth, compared to #sharks that regrow #teeth endlessly.

👉 https://theconversation.com/why-do-people-have-baby-teeth-and-adult-teeth-256198

#biology #science #anatomy #mammals #herbivores #carnivores #orthodontics #pediatrics #health #evolution #anthropology #food

Vogelkop Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus ursinus

Vogelkop Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus ursinus

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Location: Vogelkop and Fakfak Peninsulas, West Papua

This species is found only in the remote montane rainforests of the Vogelkop (Doberai) and Fakfak Peninsulas in Indonesian-occupied West Papua, at elevations ranging from sea level to 2,500 metres.

The Vogelkop #TreeKangaroo Dendrolagus ursinus, also known as the Ursine or Black Tree #Kangaroo, is one of the least known and most elusive tree kangaroos in the world. Endemic to the Vogelkop and Fakfak Peninsulas of West Papua, this striking marsupial is cloaked in jet-black fur, with pale cheeks, tufted ears, and a white-tipped tail. They live alone in the misty mountain forests. Yet even in the densest forest, lowland logging roads are growing, they are under threat from #hunting and relentless forest clearance for #palmoil agriculture and #timber. Take action to protect these rapidly vanishing forest dwellers when you #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife, be #Vegan and #BoycottMeat

Vogelkop Tree #Kangaroos 🦘😻 with their strong limbs, wooly fur and expressive faces are ancient guardians of the #forests in #WestPapua. Help them to survive against #PalmOil #ecocide and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🚜🔥⛔️#Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/26/vogelkop-tree-kangaroo-dendrolagus-ursinus/

Elusive Vogelkop Tree #Kangaroos 🦘🫶 can leap several metres through trees in #WestPapua. Help these #vulnerable #marsupials. They face grave threat from #PalmOil #deforestation. Fight for them #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🧐🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/26/vogelkop-tree-kangaroo-dendrolagus-ursinus/

https://youtu.be/lZ61Z6dYDt0?si=3WIR4LsCNwkO91T1

Appearance and Behaviour

With their glossy black upper coat, pale underbelly, reddish or white cheeks, and soft white throat patch, Vogelkop Tree Kangaroos appear like ethereal guardians of the rainforest. Their long, tufted ears and thick fur are well-suited to the cool montane climate, while their strong limbs and curved claws make them agile climbers. The fur whorls on their shoulders may even help channel rainwater off their heads. Weighing up to 8 kg, they are larger than most tree-dwelling marsupials, yet they move with stealth and grace through the forest canopy. They are nocturnal and solitary, coming down to the ground only rarely to move between trees.

Diet

Very little is known about their natural diet, but captive individuals have been observed eating leaves, bark, and twigs from mulberry trees, figs, and breadfruit (Antocarpus) species. Like other members of the Dendrolagus genus, they are folivores and frugivores, likely foraging across a wide area to find seasonal fruits and foliage in the upper canopy.

Reproduction and Mating

As with most tree kangaroos, reproduction is poorly documented. It is thought that breeding can occur year-round. After a gestation of around 30 days, the tiny newborn crawls into the mother’s pouch to attach to a nipple, developing there for around 300 days. The lack of data on reproduction in this species makes it difficult to assess how quickly populations can recover from declines.

Geographic Range

Dendrolagus ursinus is confined to the Vogelkop (Doberai) and Fakfak Peninsulas in the far northwest of Indonesian-occupied West Papua. Their range is limited to high-altitude montane forests between 1,000 and 2,500 metres, although some sources note sightings as low as sea level. Once more widespread, their habitat has been fragmented by palm oil agriculture and hunting. The total range is estimated to be no more than 30,000 square kilometres, much of which remains unexplored.

Threats

Very little is known about the biology, ecology, and behaviour of D. ursinus, making conservation efforts challenging. The lack of detailed population studies, genetic analysis, and ecological monitoring prevents targeted protection strategies. This information vacuum has left the species largely ignored in regional conservation planning.

• Hunting by local communities for food

Hunting remains a significant pressure on Dendrolagus ursinus. Despite their remote, mountainous habitat, they are still actively targeted by some communities for bushmeat. As the species is solitary and slow-moving on the ground, they are vulnerable to hunters, especially in areas where hunting traditions persist or where economic hardship has increased reliance on wild animals for protein.

• Habitat loss due to forest clearance for palm oil agriculture

Much of the Vogelkop and Fakfak regions are undergoing rapid transformation, as forests are cleared to create farmland for crops and livestock. Shifting cultivation and permanent clearing for cash crops reduce available habitat and fragment populations. This not only restricts the tree kangaroo’s range but also increases encounters with humans, raising the risk of hunting.

• Palm oil expansion and timber logging

Although industrial-scale plantations are less established in the highlands, out-of-control palm oil operations are expanding in West Papua. Lowland deforestation pushes communities and agriculture further upslope into montane forests—the last refuges of species like the Vogelkop Tree Kangaroo. Logging, both legal and illegal, further degrades these habitats and opens access routes for hunters and poachers.

• Historical disappearance from more densely populated areas

The species has already vanished from parts of the Arfak Mountains, where growing human populations and increased land conversion have left little viable forest. This historical range contraction is an ominous sign, showing how even highland refuges are no longer safe. Without urgent intervention, similar disappearances could occur elsewhere in their remaining range.

Take Action!

Help protect the Vogelkop Tree Kangaroo by refusing to buy products made with palm oil, advocating for forest protection in West Papua, and supporting indigenous-led agroecology initiatives. Demand an end to deforestation driven by agriculture and logging. Speak up for Vogelkop Tree Kangaroos of the cloud forests and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #BoycottMeat

FAQs

How many Vogelkop Tree Kangaroos are left?

No formal population estimates exist, but the IUCN notes a suspected 30% population decline over the past three generations (roughly 30 years) due to hunting and habitat loss. The species now survives mostly in mountainous areas, having disappeared from the lowlands.

Are they the same as the Black Tree Kangaroo?

Yes. Dendrolagus ursinus is also known as the Black Tree Kangaroo, Ursine Tree Kangaroo, or Vogelkop Tree Kangaroo. These names refer to the same species, which is distinguished by their dark fur and limited range in northwestern New Guinea.

What makes Vogelkop Tree Kangaroos different from other tree kangaroos?

Genetic studies reveal that Dendrolagus ursinus represents one of five distinct evolutionary lineages within New Guinea’s tree kangaroos. Their thick black coat, tufted ears, and unique geographic isolation make them one of the most distinctive—and mysterious—members of the Dendrolagus genus (Eldridge et al., 2018).

Is it true Vogelkop Tree Kangaroos live in protected areas?

Some of their range may overlap with remote protected forests, but enforcement is minimal. Without community-led efforts to protect habitat and reduce hunting pressure, even these areas may not be enough to ensure the species’ survival.

Further Information

Eldridge, M. D. B., Potter, S., Helgen, K. M., Sinaga, M. H., Aplin, K. P., Flannery, T. F., & Johnson, R. N. (2018). Phylogenetic analysis of the tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagus) reveals multiple divergent lineages within New Guinea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 127, 589–599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.05.030

Leary, T., Seri, L., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Helgen, K., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Allison, A., James, R., Dickman, C., Aplin, K., Salas, L., Flannery, T. & Bonaccorso, F. 2016. Dendrolagus ursinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T6434A21956516. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T6434A21956516.en. Downloaded on 26 January 2021.

Flannery, T., Martin, R., & Szalay, A. (1996). Tree Kangaroos: A Curious Natural History. Reed Books.

Tenkile Conservation Alliance. (2024). Vogelkop Tree Kangaroo. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://tenkile.com/vogelkop-tree-kangaroo/

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Ursine tree-kangaroo. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursine_tree-kangaroo

You can support the conservation of this animal:

Tenkile Conservation Alliance

Vogelkop Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus ursinus

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #Dendrolagus #ecocide #EndangeredSpecies #forests #herbivores #hunting #Indonesia #kangaroo #Kangaroos #Macropod #Mammal #Marsupial #marsupials #palmoil #Papua #PapuaNewGuineaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuinea #timber #TreeKangaroo #treekangaroos #vegan #VogelkopTreeKangarooDendrolagusUrsinus #vulnerable #WestPapua #WestPapua

Winter-active #herbivores struggle to get #nitrogen in winter, when dietary #protein is scarce. This study shows that winter protein restriction drives gut #microbiome remodeling in the #pika, increasing microbiome N recycling & helping maintain protein balance @PLOSBiology plos.io/4nZ86I6

Opportunity Drives #Spillover: Serological #Surveillance across #Carnivores, #Omnivores and #Herbivores in an #HPAIV #H5 Hotspot in North-East #Germany, 2023-2025, https://etidiohnew.blogspot.com/2025/10/opportunity-drives-spillover.html

Southern Pudu Pudu puda

Southern Pudu Pudu puda

IUCN Status: Near Threatened

Location: Chile, Argentina

Darting around and hiding on the forest floor, the Southern Pudu, known as püdü or püdu in Mapudungun (the language of the indigenous Mapuche people), is the world’s second-smallest #deer species. Weighing just 6.4 to 13.4 kg and standing at 35 to 45 cm at the shoulder, these miniature deer are remarkably adapted to their forested environments and communicate with each other through scent. Their short, spiky antlers curve slightly backward, and their thick chestnut-brown coat provides excellent camouflage in the undergrowth.

Despite their small size, Southern Pudus are resilient #ungulates in one of the world’s most biodiverse but increasingly threatened temperate forests in #Argentina and #Chile. However, habitat destruction for eucalyptus and pine monoculture, predation by invasive species, road collisions and disease transmission from farmed animals are pushing populations to the brink. Help them by raising awareness, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/Lsi8c49ZZ_A

Southern #Pudus are timid and wary tiny #deer 🦌one of the smallest in the 🌎, they hide in the undergrowth of #Argentina’s forests 🇦🇷 They’re ‘Near Threatened’ by #poaching and #deforestation. Raise your voice for them #Boycott4Wildlife ✊ @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-aoq

As silent as a mouse 🐭 and smaller than a house #cat 🐱, Southern Pudus are miniature #deer 🦌🤎 who peer from rainforest shadows in #Chile 🇨🇱 Eucalyptus monoculture #deforestation 🌳🎋🔥is a major threat. Help them and #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-aoq

Appearance & Behaviour

Southern Pudus are a stocky tiny deer species with short legs, rounded ears, and large, dark eyes. Their small antlers, present only in males, measure between 5.3 and 9 cm and are shed annually. Their dense fur varies from reddish-brown to dark brown, often appearing darker in winter.

Unlike many other ungulate species, Pudus are solitary and highly secretive. They are mostly crepuscular, active mostly during dawn and dusk, and use scent-marking to communicate with other individuals. They rely on zigzagging escape routes through dense undergrowth to evade predators, making them difficult to spot in the wild.

Threats

Southern Pudu populations face multiple threats that have led to drastic declines in recent decades.

1. Habitat Loss and Deforestation

• Widespread forest clearance: Nearly 50% of the Valdivian temperate rainforest has been destroyed since 1550, with severe deforestation in the Maule and Araucanía regions.
• Deforestation for agriculture: Native forests are being replaced with monoculture plantations (eucalyptus, pine), cattle ranching, and agriculture, significantly reducing their available habitat.
• Fragmentation of remaining forests: The loss of continuous forest corridors isolates populations, leading to inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity.

2. Predation and Competition with Invasive Species

Free-ranging dogs attack and kill Pudus, even inside protected areas. Invasive deer and wild boar species compete for food and damage the undergrowth that Pudus rely on for shelter.

3. Road Development and Vehicle Collisions

Increasing road networks in Chile and Argentina have led to frequent roadkill incidents, including deaths inside national parks. The planned Chiloé-Mainland bridge could expose isolated Chiloé populations to new predators and human disturbances.

4. Disease Transmission from Livestock

Livestock diseases, including pestivirus, Leptospira, and bovine tuberculosis, are increasingly affecting wild Pudu populations. The presence of cattle-related pathogens has been documented, though their full impact is still being studied.

5. Illegal Poaching and Capture for the Pet Trade

Hunting for food still occurs in some rural areas. Some Pudus are illegally captured and sold in the exotic pet trade, despite their poor survival rate in captivity.

Geographic Range

The Southern Pudu is found in the temperate rainforests of southern Chile and southwestern Argentina, primarily within the Valdivian temperate forest. This elusive deer inhabits dense forests with thick underbrush, bamboo thickets, and Nothofagus-dominated woodlands, where they can navigate the understory with ease.

Diet

Like other deer species, Southern Pudus are browsing herbivores, feeding on a wide variety of shrubs, vines, bamboo shoots, ferns, leaves, and fallen fruit. Due to their small stature, they employ clever techniques to access food, including standing on their hind legs, bending saplings, or even climbing on logs and rocks to reach foliage. They obtain much of their moisture from their diet and can survive without drinking water for extended periods.

Mating and Reproduction

Mating season occurs during the Southern Hemisphere’s autumn (April to May). Males engage in territorial scent-marking but do not form harems. The gestation period for these miniature deers lasts approximately 210 days, with fawns typically born between November and January.

At birth, fawns weigh between 700 and 1,000 grams and have white-spotted coats for camouflage. They are weaned after two months but may remain with their mother for up to a year. Sexual maturity is reached at six months for females and 8–12 months for males.

FAQs

How small is the Southern Pudu compared to other deer?

The Southern Pudu is the second-smallest deer species in the world, only slightly larger than the Northern Pudu (Pudu mephistophiles). They stand 35–45 cm tall and weigh between 6.4–13.4 kg, making them smaller than many domestic cats.

Why are Southern Pudus classified as Near Threatened?

Their rapidly declining population is mainly due to habitat destruction, hunting, vehicle collisions, and diseases from livestock.

How do they communicate?

Southern Pudus use scent-marking from facial glands and urine to establish territories. They also emit barking sounds when alarmed.

Do Southern Pudus make good pets?

Absolutely not. Keeping a Pudu as a pet is illegal and highly unethical. These deer are extremely stress-prone and rarely survive in captivity unless part of scientific conservation efforts. They are meant to roam in the forests not be captive for their lives in a domestic environment or in a Zoo. If you want to help Southern Pudus raise awareness about them by sharing this post.

How do Southern Pudus avoid predators?

Pudus rely on stealth, agility, and dense undergrowth to evade predators. When chased, they zigzag through the forest and can jump over logs and climb steep terrain.

How do Pudus adapt to deforested areas?

While they prefer native forests, some Pudus have been observed using commercial tree plantations, but only when there is a dense understory for cover.

Take Action!

• Support conservation organisations that work to protect the Valdivian temperate forest.
• Advocate against the pet trade – Pudus are wild animals and they belong free in the wild, not kept as pets!
• Promote stricter regulations on free-roaming dogs in national parks.
• Raise awareness about the threats posed by deforestation and invasive species by sharing this post to social media. Use the one-click shares at the top of this post.

The Southern Pudu may be small, but their role in the biodiversity of South American forests is crucial. Protecting them means preserving one of the last temperate rainforests on Earth.

Support Southern Pudu by going vegan and boycotting deforestation causing commodities in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Hidalgo-Hermoso, E., et al. (2024). High exposure to livestock pathogens in Southern Pudu (Pudu puda) from Chile. Animals, 14(4), 526. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040526

Silva-Rodríguez, E. A., et al. (2011). Priorities for the conservation of the Pudu (Pudu puda) in southern South America. Animal Production Science, 51(4), 375-377. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN10286

Silva-Rodríguez, E, Pastore, H. & Jiménez, J. 2016. Pudu puda. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T18848A22164089. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T18848A22164089.en. Accessed on 26 February 2025.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Southern Pudu. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_pudu

Zúñiga, A. H., & Jiménez, J. E. (2018). Activity patterns and habitat use of Pudu deer (Pudu puda) in a mountain forest of south-central Chile. Journal of Natural History, 52(33-34), 2047-2054. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2018.1510995

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Southern Pudu Pudu puda

Keep reading

Blue-streaked Lory Eos reticulata

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Blonde Capuchin Sapajus flavius

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Savage’s Glass Frog Centrolene savagei

Keep reading

Pesquets Parrot Psittrichas fulgidus

Keep reading

Tanimbar Eclectus Parrot Eclectus riedeli

Keep reading

Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

Read more about RSPO greenwashing

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)

#animals #argentina #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #cat #Chile #deer #deforestation #ForgottenAnimals #herbivores #hunting #Mammal #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #poaching #Pudus #SouthAmericaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #SouthernPuduPuduPuda #ungulates #VulnerableSpecies

#DNAEvidence Reveals #Herbivores Eat Far More Than Just #Grass

https://scitechdaily.com/dna-evidence-reveals-herbivores-eat-far-more-than-just-grass/

Stepwise activation of #plant defense traits. This study of 6 defense traits in Ambrosia reveals that when attacked by insect #herbivores, less costly traits are induced first, while more costly traits are activated only after higher damage thresholds @PLOSBiology https://plos.io/45iSFUd

@shelby.elizabeth.art shared:

#elephants #animals #herbivores #pachyderms

#Hippos secrete red sweat to stay cool in #WestAfrica 🦛 Although #herbivores, parents fiercely protect infants leading to conflict with people. #PalmOil and #tobacco #deforestation are threats. #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect.bsky.social https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/06/29/hippopotamus-hippopotamus-amphibius/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer

Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei

Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei

Red List Status: Endangered

Locations: Western Assam (India), Black Mountain (Bhutan), Manas National Park, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, Kakoijana Reserve Forest, and forest fragments along the foothills of the Himalayas.

The regal, striking looking Golden #langurs Trachypithecus geei is also known by the common names Gee’s Golden #langur. They are the most endangered primate species in #India and are considered to be sacred to many Himalayan peoples. Once widespread, they are now only found in a handful of fragmented forests straddling India and Bhutan. They are classified as endangered due to #palmoil, #meat and #timber #deforestation and hunting. Golden langurs are known for their expressive eyes and grumpy expressions. This has made them the subject of global fascination and online memes. Help them every time you shop and be #vegan, #Boycottpalmoil and #Boycott4Wildlife

Golden #Langurs 🙉🐒 are the most #endangered primate in #India 🇮🇳🪷 threatened by #palmoil and #meat #deforestation. Help save them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🩸🚜🔥☠️❌ #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket! @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2023/03/19/golden-langur-trachypithecus-geei/

Regal and striking Golden #Langurs are known for their grumpy faces 🙊🐒 😠They have reason to be annoyed #Assam #India 🇮🇳 is being destroyed for #palmoil #deforestation. Fight for them when you shop! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2023/03/19/golden-langur-trachypithecus-geei/

https://youtu.be/F9iyXroZM4Y

Appearance & Behaviour

Adults golden langurs are striking with their vivid black faces framed by a mane of pale hair, and their expressive, deep-set eyes reflect intelligence and curiosity. By contrast, infant langurs are born with cream-coloured fur that darkens as they mature. Golden langurs are medium-sized primates, with males weighing up to 13 kilograms and females slightly less. Their long tails, often longer than their bodies, help them balance as they leap gracefully between branches. Golden langurs are highly social, living in groups of up to 40 individuals, and communicate with a repertoire of calls, grunts, and alarm barks. They spend most of their lives high in the trees, rarely descending to the ground, and their movements are fluid and silent, like shadows flickering through the leaves.

Golden Langur Eyes: Windows to Intelligent Souls

The eyes of a golden langur are truly captivating, reminiscent of the molten gold in the dappled sunlight of their forest home in India. These golden langur eyes are the subject of countless online memes, possibly because of their human-like expressions. The expressive eyes of golden langurs convey a range of emotions that resonate deeply with people. Their gaze can appear curious, contemplative, cantankerous, moody or even agitated, making these animals relatable and endearing to a broad audience. This relatability, combined with their striking appearance, makes golden langur eyes a perfect focal point for memes, highlighting the beauty of these monkeys and the importance of conserving their natural habitats.

Golden langurs are heavily dependent upon forests for their ongoing existence. They are diurnal, preferring to forage in the morning and afternoon with a midday siesta. They spend most of the time in tree canopies and rarely come down to the ground.

Social grooming and social interaction is important to Golden langurs and they typically live in troops of between 8 to 50 individuals with several females to each adult male. Grooming is an important social activity and strengthens connection between group members.

Threats

Palm oil, timber, charcoal and livestock deforestation

The Red List classifies the golden langur as Endangered, with palm oil expansion and deforestation for charcoal, livestock and timber as major drivers of habitat loss. Vast tracts of forest have been cleared for plantations and farmland, leaving the golden langur’s habitat fragmented and isolated. As the forest disappears, langur groups are forced into ever-smaller patches, increasing competition for food and shelter and exposing them to greater risks from predators and humans. The relentless pace of deforestation threatens to erase the golden langur from much of their former range, turning once-vibrant forests into silent, empty fields.

Logging and habitat fragmentation

Logging has carved roads and clearings through the golden langur’s habitat, severing the canopy highways they rely on for movement and social cohesion. Fragmentation isolates groups, reducing genetic diversity and making populations more vulnerable to disease and environmental change. In some areas, only a handful of individuals remain, cut off from neighbouring groups by expanses of cleared land. The scars of logging are visible everywhere—fallen trees, eroded soil, and the distant sound of chainsaws echoing through the forest.

Human-wildlife conflict, poaching and the illegal pet trade

As forests shrink, golden langurs are increasingly forced into contact with humans, leading to conflict and persecution. Some are killed or captured for the illegal pet trade. There is a high rate of juvenile mortality and inbreeding when golden langurs are collected as pets. This is a cruel and devastating fate for any golden langurs who are captured. Some golden langurs fall victim to retaliatory attacks when they raid crops. Snares and traps set for other animals can maim or kill golden langurs. Unexpected human-caused deaths exert a heavy toll on wild troops and their social cohesion and structure. Poaching remains a persistent threat, fuelled by demand for exotic pets and body parts in Chinese medicine.

Climate change

Shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures threaten to alter the delicate balance of the Himalayan forests. Changes in fruiting and flowering times can disrupt the golden langur’s food supply, while extreme weather events—such as floods and landslides—destroy habitat and isolate populations even further. The golden langur’s survival is now tied to the fate of the forests and the stability of the climate.

Habitat & geographical region

The golden langur’s range is restricted to the forests of western Assam in India and the Black Mountain region of Bhutan. Key strongholds include Manas National Park, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, Kakoijana Reserve Forest, and a scattering of forest fragments along the Himalayan foothills. Once widespread, the golden langur now survives in isolated pockets, their habitat reduced and fragmented by decades of deforestation and human encroachment.

Diet

The Golden langur is primarily folivorous, feeding on a diverse array of young leaves, fruits, flowers, and seeds. Their diet shifts with the seasons, following the cycles of fruiting and leaf flush in the forest. In times of scarcity, they may consume bark, twigs, or cultivated crops, bringing them into conflict with farmers. Golden langurs are selective feeders, choosing the most nutritious and digestible parts of plants, and their foraging plays a vital role in seed dispersal and forest regeneration.

Mating and reproduction

Golden langurs breed throughout the year, with a peak in births during the late monsoon and early winter months. Females give birth to a single infant after a gestation period of around 200 days. The newborns are born with lighter fur, which darkens as they mature, and are cared for by their mothers and other group members in a system of cooperative parenting. Social bonds are strong, with frequent grooming and play reinforcing relationships within the group. Infants cling tightly to their mothers as the group moves through the canopy, learning the skills they will need to survive in a challenging and ever-changing environment. The average lifespan of a golden langur in the wild is estimated at around 15 to 20 years, though few reach this age due to the many threats they face.

FAQs

What is the current population size of the golden langur Trachypithecus geei?

Estimates suggest that fewer than 6,500 golden langurs remain in the wild, with populations continuing to decline due to ongoing habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching. The largest populations are found in Manas National Park and the surrounding forests of Assam and Bhutan, but even here, numbers are falling as forests are cleared for agriculture and plantations. Researchers warn that without urgent action, the golden langur could disappear from much of their current range within a generation (Biswas et al., 2024; Das et al., 2021).

How long do golden langurs live in the wild?

Golden langurs can live up to 20 years in the wild, though most do not reach this age due to threats from habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans. In captivity, some individuals have lived longer, but the stresses of confinement and social isolation take a heavy toll on their health and wellbeing. The golden langur’s longevity is closely tied to the health of their forest home and the strength of their social bonds (Das et al., 2021).

What are the main conservation challenges for the golden langur?

The greatest challenges facing the golden langur are palm oil, charcoal and meat deforestation, human-wildlife conflict, poaching and collection for the illegal pet trade. These threats destroy the forests these remarkable primates depend on, isolate populations, and expose them to increased risk of disease and predation. Effective protection requires indigenous-led conservation, agroecology, and the safeguarding of forest ecosystems from further destruction. Help them every time you shop and be #Vegan #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife (Biswas et al., 2020; Das et al., 2021).

Do golden langurs make good pets?

Absolutely not! Golden langurs do not make good pets. Captivity causes extreme stress, loneliness, and early death for these highly social, intelligent primates. The illegal pet trade tears families apart and fuels extinction, as infants are stolen from their mothers and forced into unnatural, impoverished conditions. Protecting golden langurs means rejecting the illegal pet trade and supporting their right to live wild and free in their forest homes (Das et al., 2021).

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology. Reject products linked to deforestation and the illegal wildlife trade. Adopt a #vegan lifestyle and #BoycottMeat to protect wild and farmed animals alike. Every choice matters—stand with the golden langur and defend the forests of Assam and Bhutan.

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Biswas, J., Shil, J., Sasi, R., Ahmed, M. U., Barman, K., Das, N., Basumatary, B., & Kumara, H. N. (2024). Ecological determinants of occupancy of golden langur Trachypithecus geei and its population characteristics in India. Global Ecology and Conservation, 53, e03003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03003

Das, J., Medhi, R. & Molur, S. 2008. Trachypithecus geei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T22037A9348940. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T22037A9348940.en. Accessed on 12 November 2022.

Gee’s Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei on Wikipedia

An Indian documentary about the dangers of consuming palm oil

https://youtu.be/eScpF9ruI80

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

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2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

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Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

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Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

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The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

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How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

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3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

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https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

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#animals #Assam #Bhutan #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #ChineseMedicine #climateChange #deforestation #endangered #EndangeredSpecies #ForgottenAnimals #GoldenLangurTrachypithecusGeei #herbivore #herbivores #humanWildlifeConflict #hunting #illegalPetTrade #India #langur #Langurs #livestock #Mammal #meat #meatAgriculture #monkey #monkeys #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #poachers #poaching #Primate #timber #vegan

5-Jun-2025
Two big events shaped the #herbivores during 60 million years but their role remains
- well, until humans started #hunting them to #extinction and replacing them with cattle.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1086119

#science #evolution #ecology #fossils

Europe's forest plants thrive best in light-rich, semi-open woodlands -- kept open by large herbivores https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514120052.htm

#Europe #environment #forest #woodland #woodlands #wildlife #herbivores

14-May-2025
Europe’s forest plants thrive best in light-rich, semi-open woodlands – kept open by large herbivores
A new study shows that most native European temperate forest plants are adapted to semi-open, light-filled #woodlands – formed over millions of years by the influence of large, free-ranging #herbivores

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1083806 #science #ecology #forests

Cruciferous #plants' pungent defense mechanism: How repurposed #stomatal #genes also fend off #herbivores.

#evolution #Brassicales #FAMA #myrosin_cells #WASABI_MAKER #SCAP1

https://phys.org/news/2025-03-cruciferous-pungent-defense-mechanism-repurposed.html

@viacampesina

https://functionalecologists.com/2025/02/18/laura-riggi-strip-cropping-improves-plant-defenses-against-herbivorous-insects-via-the-soil/

#agroecology #environment #herbivores #stripcropping

#TriadicaSebifera is widely distributed across China from tropical to temperate regions where soils and herbivore communities vary significantly, Li Xiao et al. explored #InteractiveEffects of #Soils, #LocalEnvironmentalConditions and #Herbivores on #SecondaryChemicals in it.
Details: https://doi.org/10.1093/jpe/rtae062

"Trophic cascades, the effects of predators on herbivores and plants, have long been a topic of ecological interest. The study quantifies the strength of this phenomenon for the first time using willow crown volume as a proxy for aboveground biomass, demonstrating a significant three-dimensional recovery of riparian vegetation represented by the growth in both crown area and height of established willows".
#ecology #herbivores #plant #biomass
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1071830

Today in Cinnabar Moth News!

3 of 4 caterpillars I collected on 6 Jan on the NZ native pahohoraka pupated today. The 4th is a prepupa. Oddly, all have fed solely on pahohoraka (Senecio quadridentatus).

The small caterpillar I collected in Somerfield on European groundel has moulted.

I found *more* caterpillars in the city today, including on the South African gravel groundsel, maybe a new host association. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/258633900

#PlantInsectInteractions #NZ #herbivores #insects #mothodon

#Climatechange is depleting #plant #nutrition, threatening #herbivores from #grasshoppers to giant #pandas

Rising #CO2 levels are driving faster plant growth but reducing #nutrient density, with alarming impacts across #ecosystems.

https://www.nationofchange.org/2024/12/30/climate-change-is-depleting-plant-nutrition-threatening-herbivores-from-grasshoppers-to-giant-pandas/

The key results from my PhD thesis are uploaded as a preprint on EcoEvoRxiv!!
https://doi.org/10.32942/X2R90J
“A bottom-up mammoth population model predicts moderate densities and high vulnerability to hunting”

My colleagues and I developed and used a mechanistic large-herbivore model to simulate emergent megafauna carrying capacity for the Pleistocene mammoth steppe. Our results indicate lower densities than often assumed…

#mammoth #megafauna #Pleistocene #DGVM #grazer #herbivores #IceAge #rewilding