Douc  (Pygathrix nemaeus)

Description

These colobine monkeys have an extremely striking appearance. At present two subspecies are recognised, the red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus) characteristically has bright maroon legs and reddish patches around the eyes (4). In contrast, the grey-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus cinerea) is less vibrant, with speckled grey legs and orange markings on the face (4). Both have dappled grey bodies, black hands and feet and white cheeks, although the cheek hairs of the red-shanked douc are much longer (4). The black-shanked douc (Pygathrix nigripes) has recently been recognised as a distinct species (1), and it is thought that the little-known P. n. cinerea may also be similarly distinct (2). The long hind limbs and tail allow these monkeys to be wonderfully agile in their treetop habitat (2).

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