Mitered Leaf Monkeys are langurs found in Sumatra and Pulau Pini. They normally inhabit the understory of the forests near rivers, but occasionally are seen at higher altitudes. 

The slender body, long prehensile tail, and elongated strong hands of the Mitered Leaf Monkey make it perfectly adapted for living on the rainforest - balancing and swinging amongst the trees with ease. Their long limbs assist in leaping, walking, and running. At birth, Mitered Leaf Monkeys have white fur, with a dark stripe down their back, and are bicoloured across the tail and shoulders forming a cross. As adults, fur colours can vary in colour; brown-red, pale orange, black-grey, and white are common variations.

Their territories range from 1/3 to 1/2 mile, and are directly related to available resources within an area; they sometimes share their territory with Silvered Leaf Monkeys (Trachypithecus cristatus).

Most active during the daytime and early evening, Mitered Leaf Monkeys live in large family groups of between 12 and 18 individuals. They are territorial, and those with smaller home ranges will defend it from others more aggressively. Territories are signalled to other monkeys using loud vocalisations; these vocalisations are very distinct, so as not to be confused with alarm calls (sounded when predators are spotted). Females are responsible for the whole group’s movements; however, they remain uninvolved in group conflicts, and show no evidence of a dominance hierarchy. To reinforce social bonds within the troop, Mitered Leaf Monkeys will groom each other. 

Troops are generally ruled by a single male who mates with several females (known as a harem); however, it is not unknown to see several harem males, who are responsible for keeping a lookout for threats. Sometimes males will live alone, or form all-male groups, too; however, these groups are normally temporary. Males from these groups will often attempt to infiltrate harem troops, in order to abscond with females and build their own harem. Lone males tend to struggle with this, as they are more easily targeted by harem male leaders and chased away; oftentimes, they are banished to a resource-poor area.

There are 4 subspecies of Mitered Leaf Monkeys: Presbytis melalophos melalophos, Presbytis melalophos bicolor, Presbytis melalophos mitrata, and Presbytis melalophos sumatrana. They are threatened by hunting, the illegal pet trade, and habitat destruction - having lost over 70% of their natural habitat in just 3 generations (approximately 30 years).

CAPTURE HIGHLIGHTS