Douc (pronounced “dook”), is a Vietnamese word of ancient origin, thought to mean ‘monkey’. Though a bit of a misnomer as they are monkeys, not apes, douc langurs are popularly known as ‘costumed apes’ because of their extravagantly-coloured coats, bearing red, black, white, grey and gold highlights. Juveniles have a lighter body colouration than adults and a darker-coloured face. Their coat colour darkens as they grow older, as their face colour lightens.
Play face and other signals
Douc langurs are playful animals, juveniles more so than adults. You’d see jumping, running, climbing, hanging and swinging, while pulling, wrestling, mouthing, touching and chasing a partner: all in a day’s play. Like many other primates, doucs have a specific “play face" - mouth open and teeth partially showing. This may be used to initiate grooming or play. A stare with raised eyebrows is a threat and the other party often backs down with a submissive grimace.
Closely inspected
Douc langurs are closely related to the proboscis monkeys and snub-nosed monkeys. Similarly, doucs have a leaf-rich diet as well as a multi-chambered stomach that helps them to break down leaf cellulose. They also eat flowers, unripe fruits and their seeds. Doucs are very particular when foraging for food - nothing is ingested without scrutiny. Ripe fruit is discarded, as are old leaves. Each morning, the keepers make their rounds to gather a variety of fresh leaves to ensure that our douc langurs get their best greens. Doucs don't drink water - they can derive the water they need from their food.
Together, we protect wildlife
Languishing in the wild
The douc langurs’ habitat suffered intense disruption during the Vietnam war, in areas where defoliants were used. Their current decline is due to deforestation, hunting for food and use in traditional medicines. They have also been captured for use in medical research and are sold as exotic pets.
The IUCN Status
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.
DD
Data Deficient
Unknown risk of extinction
LC
Least Concern
At relatively low risk of extinction
NT
Near Threatened
Likely to become vulnerable in the near future
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
EW
Extinct in the Wild
Survives only in captivity
EX
Extinct
No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity