The silvered leaf monkey, also called the silvery lutung or the silvery langur, is one of Malaysia’s most recognisable primates. With its dark, silvery-grey coat and gentle manner, it’s a common sight in coastal forests and mangroves.
But is it true that these monkeys are not always silver?
VERDICT:
TRUE
When silvered leaf monkeys are born, their fur is bright orange with a yellowish face — a striking contrast to the adults’ muted tones.
This vibrant colouring helps adults in the troop quickly spot and protect the vulnerable infants.
Over the course of three to five months, the babies gradually lose their orange coats as the fur darkens and transforms into the familiar silver-grey of adulthood.
Scientists believe this colour change not only signals maturity but also helps young monkeys blend more effectively into their leafy surroundings.
Silvered leaf monkeys live in close-knit groups, often led by a dominant male, and are primarily leaf-eaters, relying on a specialised stomach to digest fibrous plants.
They can be found across the Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Thailand, where they are sometimes seen lounging near mangrove boardwalks or interacting with visitors.
So yes — while adults may look forever silver, every one of them started life as a little orange bundle of fur.
Citing Sources
1) New England Primate Conservancy – Silvered Leaf Monkey/Silvery Lutung
https://neprimateconservancy.
2) Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Silvered Leaf Langur
https://www.columbuszoo.org/
3) Sustainable World Resilience – Exploring the Silvered Leaf Monkey
https://
