The Colobus Monkey
Today’s critter is the colubus monkey. There are two species of black and white colobus monkeys found in Kenya, the ones that live in coastal forests and the ones in inland high-country areas. Red colobus monkeys are also found in East Africa, but are endangered and very rare. Two other types of colobus monkeys in Africa are the black colubus and the olive colubus. These monkeys live in all types of forests, including montane and gallery forests.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Angolan black-and-white colobus (Colobus angolensis) | Eastern black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza)
Weight: 11 – 30 lbs
Height: Up to 30 inches long
Life span: Up to 20 years (in the wild) | 30+ years (in captivity)
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Males defend their group and its territory from others with roars, tongue-clicks, chases, and an unusual stiff-legged display.
2.) Black and white colobus monkeys spend their days eating, relaxing, and socializing with each other.
3.) Predators include leopards, large eagles, chimpanzees, and humans.
4.) They produce a low-pitched roaring chorus for displaying and alarm-calling.
5.) The colobus monkey is mostly arboreal (spend part or all of their time in trees).
But wait, there’s more on the colubus monkey!
6.) The colobus monkeys can jump up to 20 feet!
7.) These monkeys are found in troops of three to fifteen members.
Did you know…?
The colobus monkey does not have thumbs like other monkeys do.
8.) They are herbivores (eat plant matter) that eat fruits (preferably unripe), flowers, twigs, bark, and soil. The mantled guereza has even taken to eating concrete on occasions!
