TYPES OF COLOBUS MONKEYS AND WHERE THEY ARE FOUND

The colobus monkeys are among the unique attractions that can be seen in various parks within East Africa. Colobus monkeys are a group of old-world monkeys. These creatures can be found in a variety of environments, including riverine corridors, coastal woodlands, and highland rainforests. They are essential to the wellbeing of tropical ecosystems.

popularly known for their striking color and agile climbing abilities. Colobus monkeys are classified into several species, each with its specific behaviors, characteristics, and many more.

In this article, we are going to elaborate more about different types of colobus monkeys including their behaviors, characteristics and many more.

What are colobus monkeys?

Colobus monkeys refer to a family of various kinds of monkey species that thrive within the rain forests. These monkeys derive its name colobus from a Greek word known as mutilated.

Colobus monkeys derive their name due to their short thumb’s nature. Colobus monkeys belong to the primate family with thumbs. The ability of them having thumbs enables them to grass tree branches with utmost ease. They are mainly grouped into 5 species that can be seen within East Africa.

CLASSIFICATION OF MONKEY SPECIES.

Western Black and White Colobus (Colobus vellerosus)

This is the most common type of the colobus monkeys and is easily identified with its striking black and white fur. These monkeys are generally found within the parts of West Africa. This type of monkey species is generally with a black body with long legs with white fur that is around their head.

Colobus monkey

Their Behaviors.

The male western black and white colobus monkeys are generally larger than the females.

Eastern Black and white. (Colobus Guereza)

The Eastern Boack and white are one of the kinds of the Colobus monkeys. They are sometimes referred to as Guereza and are mainly found within East Africa such as Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

The monkeys have a black body with white fur on the sides, back and tail. In this group of the colobus monkeys the males are larger than the females. They are generally herbivores feeding on plant leaves, fruits and seeds.

Red colobus monkeys.

This is another popular species of the colobus monkeys. The Red colobus monkeys can be seen in central and eastern Africa (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Congo basin).

Red colobus monkeys are popularly known for their reddish-brown fur that covers its whole body. They have long, slender limbs and a tail. They are generally social creatures living in groups of over 20 individuals. They also feed on leaves, fruits.

Olive Colobus monkeys.

The Olive Colobus monkeys are among the species of the colobus monkeys and can be spotted within west Africa.

This type of the colobus monkeys are generally herbivores feeding on leaves and fruits. Olive monkeys have a greyish green fur and have a small under belly.

Golden Checkered colobus monkeys.

Golden Checkered colobus monkeys are mainly found within the central parts of Africa covering countries like Democratic Republic of Congo. This is among the type of the Colobus monkeys.

These monkey species usually prefer lowland forests that have dense vegetations. They are social creatures living in groups and a quite small compared to the black and white species.

Zanzibar red colobus monkeys.

The Zanzibar red Colobus monkeys are also a type of the Colobus monkeys. Today they can be seen in the forests in Zanzibar however their population today is a bit lowering thus many classifying them as one of the endangered species. These monkeys can easily be seen in Jozani forest reserve.

BEHAVIOURS OF THE COLOBUS MONKEYS.

The Colobus monkeys are composed of different behaviours that can easily identify them from other monkey species. These monkeys are known for their complex social interactions and specialised feeding habits.

Social structure.

Colobus monkeys are generally social animals that live in groups. The size of the group varies depending on the species. Despite the fact that they live in groups, the females remain with their birth group for their entire life unlike with the males.

Breeding period.

The breeding period for these monkey species is generally the rainy season. The female monkey usually gives birth once every after 20 years and the gestation period is 4 to 6 months. Infants are known to have a very close interaction with their mothers.

Colobus monkeys are becoming scarce since poaching is on a high rate and even predators. Humans usually hunt these monkeys to attain fur and meat.

Their fur is of great importance due to cultural significance. However different projects have been set up to control threats to these colobus monkeys.

WHERE TO SPOT THE COLOBUS MONKEYS IN EAST AFRICA?

Kibale National Park

Known for its remarkable primate diversity, Kibale National Park is an ultimate home to the colobus monkeys, the park lies in the western parts of Uganda. One of the biggest populations of black-and-white colobus monkeys in the nation may be found there.

The large area of tropical rainforest in the park makes it the perfect place for these primates to live. Tracking and observing black-and-white colobus monkeys in their native habitat is made possible by exploring Kibale National Park’s trails and nature walks.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Both black-and-white colobus monkeys and critically endangered mountain gorillas can be found at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwest Uganda is home to a variety of primates due to its dense forest cover. It is a unique experience to track mountain gorillas as well as you spot the colobus monkeys on your way.

Nyungwe national park.

One of the perfect places for viewing the colobus monkeys is Nyungwe national park in Rwanda. Nyungwe National Park is a special home to the monkey species such as the Rwenzori Colobus (Colobus angolensis Rwenzori), a subspecies of the Angolan Colobus monkey.

This species is an attractive old-World monkey with distinctive black-and-white coat, tufty shoulder-pads and a mohawk. The park is an ultimate area for colobus monkey trekking.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Located in southwestern Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the country’s most visited wildlife reserves and ideal place for spotting the colobus monkeys.

This diverse park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including black-and-white colobus monkeys. The Ishasha sector of the park, known for its tree-climbing lions, is an excellent area to spot these monkeys as they move through the forest canopies.