Langurs: Bright Orange Babies
Posted at 4:16 pm April 28, 2009 by Beth McDonald
You may think most newborn monkeys would blend in with their mothers. However, with silver-leaf langurs it is quite the opposite: their babies are a beautiful bright orange! There are several theories as to why this is; unfortunately, it is unknown which theory is accurate.
Theory 1: It makes it easy for the mothers to find them, as young langurs like to explore. They can sometimes travel a little too far away from their mothers. Being bright orange, their mothers can easily spot and retrieve them.
Theory 2: The orange actually helps the babies blend into their surroundings. It seems hard to believe that bright orange could be used as camouflage, unless maybe the orange would make them appear as a bright-colored flower on a tree. Most predators are color blind and cannot tell the difference between orange and green.
Theory 3: The coloration lets the other troop members know a new baby has arrived and they need to all share in the caring for the infant. A baby langur can wear a mother out, so having a troop full of babysitters allows Mom to rest. The babysitters can also relieve the mother so she can get something to eat.
The theories I have mentioned are a lot more detailed than what you have just read. It is a matter of opinion as to which theory you believe to be the most likely. Silver-leaf langur babies turn from orange to silver at about three months of age, slowly changing color starting as early as just under a month old.
We now have two orange additions to our troop: one born on February 26, 2009, to Tevy and Aden, and the other on April 13, 2009, to Adamena and Aden. Tevy’s baby is already changing color around her face. So to see two bright orange babies, you will have to hurry to the Zoo’s Sun Bear Forest habitat, because Adamena’s baby is following close behind. They will both be silver before we know it!
Beth McDonald is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read Beth’s previous blog, Silver-leaf Langurs.
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April 28th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Oh my god, they’re adorable! Congratulations on the new additions!
April 29th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Theory 4: The most obvious of all. To make the baby as “cute as a bugs ear.”
Moderator’s note: So true!
April 29th, 2009 at 11:58 am
How adorable! I must make a visit to see them while still orange. Where are they located in the zoo?
Moderator’s note: We’ll have to add that info to the post! You can find them in Sun Bear Forest, across from the sun bear enclosure.
April 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Thanks for the update. They look and sound adorable. Perhaps a combination of all three explanations is reality.
April 29th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Aren’t those hypotheses, not theories, since we don’t know which one is true yet?
April 30th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Thanks, Beth. I’ve been wondering about the colors, especially since the Gabriella’s gibbons were just the opposite — blond babies with blond mothers, and babies turning black as they get older. Nature is so fascinatingly complex! Hope to see you soon down by the lion-tailed macaques.
April 30th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I like theory #3 that way, everyone can help and take care of and watch over the orange babies. anyone can spot the little tyke if it ventures away. it kind of takes care of the first 2-theories. they are really cute!
May 18th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Langurs are lovely, but what is going on with the Absolutely Apes web cam?
Moderator’s note: We’ll look into it.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love them i wish i could have one welcome to the San Diego zoo
July 31st, 2009 at 8:55 am
Interesting subject!!! Are there other examples of babies with such contrasting coloring from their mothers? I just thought of another theory for the Langurs, they just could be Cleveland Brown fans.