09/07/2026
Dusky leaf monkey
*Scientific name: Trachypithecus obscurus
* Also known as: Dusky langur / Spectacled langur
* Malay name (Malaysia): Lotong Cengkung
The Dusky leaf monkey is a species of leaf monkey found in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, southern Thailand, and parts of Myanmar.
Characteristics:
* It has dark grey to brownish-grey fur.
* It has distinctive white rings around the eyes, which look like spectacles.
* Baby Dusky leaf monkeys are born with bright golden-orange fur, which gradually changes to the adult grey colour as they grow.
* Its diet mainly consists of leaves, young shoots, fruits, and flowers.
Behaviour and habitat:
* It is a diurnal (day-active) primate, usually more active in the morning and late afternoon.
* It lives in groups and spends most of its time in the forest canopy.
* It is generally shy and avoids close contact with humans, unlike macaques.
* It plays an important role in the forest ecosystem by helping with seed dispersal and maintaining forest biodiversity.
In Taman Negara, spotting a Dusky leaf monkey is a great wildlife experience because it indicates a healthy forest environment with good tree canopy habitat.