16/06/2026
One of the most striking creatures in the Sumatran rainforest is the Thomas Leaf Monkey. With a distinct black mohawk, this punk-rock primate lives in small, highly social groups, typically made up of one dominant male and a handful of females.
While their diet mostly consists of leaves, the most adventurous females will drop down to the forest floor to snack on snails and mushrooms. Meanwhile, the male stays high in the canopy, on the lookout for predators like clouded leopards and pythons.
If he spots trouble, he fires off loud alarm calls to alert the family. In fact, these monkeys have 13 distinct vocalisations and the males do most of the talking.
Because a diet of leaves and unripe fruit is tough to digest, Thomas Leaf Monkeys spend most of their day completely at rest, lounging in the shade of the lower canopy.
With their big, amber eyes and striking markings, these adorable monkeys are found nowhere else on Earth — a beautiful reminder of why protecting and connecting Sumatra's forests matters so much.
📷 Presbytis thomasi, captured by
