The Red-Shanked Douc Langur in Son Tra Peninsula
Son Tra Peninsula is home to rare and precious red-shanked douc langurs, often regarded as the queens of primates due to their stunning five-colored fur coats. Visiting Son Tra Peninsula to observe these adorable creatures is an unforgettable experience.
Key takeaways from this article
Things to know before you goTips for observing red-shanked douc langursLearn about red-shanked douc langurs and their habitatThings to know before you go
Location: The red-shanked douc langurs live on Son Tra Peninsula, in the city of Da Nang.
English Name: Red-shanked douc langur
Latin Name (Scientific): Pygathrix nemaeus
Population: 300-350 red-shanked douc langurs on Son Tra Peninsula.
Endangered status: Classified as endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List and in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007).
Color: Red-shanked douc langurs have a vibrant multi-colored fur coat consisting of gold, brown or reddish-brown, orange, gray, black, and white.
Family unit structure: Red-shanked douc langurs live in separate family units, each consisting of one adult male, 2-3 females, and their offspring
Tips for observing red-shanked douc langurs on Son Tra Peninsula.
Visit early morning or late afternoon: Red-shanked douc langurs are often more active during these times, increasing your chances of spotting them.
Look up!: Langurs spend most of their time in the trees, so be sure to look up in the canopy as you walk through the forest.
Bring binoculars: A good pair of binoculars will help you get a better view of the langurs once you spot them.
Stay quiet and patient: Loud noises can scare the langurs away. Be patient and quiet to increase your chances of observing them in their natural habitat.
Learn about red-shanked douc langurs and their habitat
We’ll provide you with some information about red-shanked douc langurs on Son Tra Peninsula.
Photographer: Huy Dope (facebook.com/huy.h.nguyen.104/)
Gender size
Adult males are much larger than females. An adult male’s length ranges from 55-63cm, averaging 59.6cm, while females are around 50-57cm. In weight, males range from 5.8 – 11kg, while females weigh about 6.4 – 8kg.
Color
Both adult males and females have similar colors. Red-shanked douc langurs, often referred to as the Queen of Primates, boast a vibrant fur coat with colors including gold, brown or reddish-brown, orange, gray, black, and white.
Reproduction and lifespan
Photographer: Huy Dope (facebook.com/huy.h.nguyen.104/)
Female red-shanked douc langurs can start giving birth at about 3 years old, while males usually begin mating at age 4 or 5. The reproductive lifespan of a female lasts about 5-8 years.
Food
Red-shanked douc langurs primarily eat leaves, but they also consume fruits or seeds occasionally, depending on the season. In Son Tra, they have a diverse diet, feeding on over 150 different plant species, including trees, vines, and medicinal plants.
Daily activities and social organization
Photographer: Huy Dope (facebook.com/huy.h.nguyen.104/)
Red-shanked douc langurs are daytime creatures and mostly live in trees. They prefer tall, thickly branched trees for sleeping and never sleep in caves or on rock ledges. These chosen sleeping trees are usually sheltered from the wind, and they return to them to sleep repeatedly.
In terms of social life, red-shanked douc langurs live in separate family units, each consisting of only one adult male, 2-3 females, and their offspring. Occasionally during the day, multiple families may come together to form a large herd of over 50 individuals.
Their daily activities typically include resting, eating, moving, and socializing.
Facing extinction threats
Photographer: Huy Dope (facebook.com/huy.h.nguyen.104/)
The IUCN Red List categorizes the red-shanked douc langur as critically endangered due to increasing concerns about threats to its survival beyond natural factors..
In Vietnam, the red-shanked douc langur is also strictly protected by laws, decrees, and regulations of the Vietnamese government. The Vietnam Red Data Book also classifies this species as endangered (EN).
The photos in the article were taken by Huy Dope, a talented photographer who currently works at a paragliding club on Son Tra Peninsula.
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