If you, like a great many people in the state of Penang, are not aware of the existence of the langurs in the Botanical Garden, here are some photographs of the langurs. These photographs were taken during National Day week when the elusive langurs decided to oblige by coming down to ground level to feed on the hibiscus plants in the garden. As mentioned in my previous blog the langurs seldom come down to ground level, preferring to feed at the middle or top levels of the trees most of the time. While they will feed on leaves, flowers and fruit, their preference is for the small leaflets and it is this choosy feeding habit that makes them quite messy feeders, very often leaving a carpet of older leaves, discarded by them, on the ground below. Langurs are natives of Southeast Asia and India and because they have been seen in the Botanical Garden only in the last few years, many locals are still unaware of their presence. Most Penangites are aware of the "pesky" macaques but few know about the existence of the langurs.
The langur has a multi-chambered stomach which helps it to digest the leaves that it has eaten. In addition there are also bacteria in the stomach of the langur to help in the digestion of the food. After the langur has finished eating, it will sit around for a while to allow the food to digest. Langurs do not move around much because of their diet. They have to sit around and let their food digest. The life span of the langur is about 20 years.
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