hanuman

(also called ‘Hanuman langur, common langur, grey langur, true langur – scientific name being ‘Semnopithecus entellus’)

a kind of monkey – mammal – medium-sized, largely grey coat (hair) and black hair-less face, paws and feet;

a rim of thick white hair round the face; a long tail; walks on four legs; size: 1½ to 2½ feet long and weighs 10-18 Kg. (males are larger than females); feeds on (eats) leaves, fruit, buds, flowers; lives for 15-20 years; about 15 sub-species found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Srilanka

Special Features:

Hanuman (monkey warrior in Hindu scriptures)

This common monkey is named after the monkey warrior, vanara divinity, who supposedly helped the Hindu god, Lord Rama, in getting back his wife, Sita who had been abducted (= kidnapped) by the King of the Demons, Ravana!

There are temples built in honour of this vanara divinity in every village, town, and city of India. And, as a result, the Hanuman langurs are sacred and protected in India!!

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