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The black-and-white colobus monkey, also known as the mantled guereza, is one of Africa’s most fascinating and visually distinctive primates. They are a striking specie native to the forests and savannas of central and eastern African, including countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
They are known for their unique black-and-white fur with the body being predominantly black and long white hair adorning their sides and tail, creating a mantle-like effect that gives them their common name.
Black-and-white colobus monkeys are medium-seized primates, with the males weighing between 9-13kg, while the female weigh around 7-9kg. They lack a fully-developed thumb, an adaptation that aids in swift movement through trees. Their long, bushy white tail helps with balance as they leap between branches.
One of their most striking features is the contrast between the black body and white fringes on the tail and back. They inhabit various environments including tropical forests, riverine woodlands, and montane forests. They are arboreal, spending most of their time in the trees, though they are sometimes seen on the ground, especially when forests are fragmented.
Naturally, black-and-white colobus monkeys are folivores, meaning they feed primarily on leaves. They have a unique digestive system that includes a complex, multi-chambered stomach, which allows them to break down tough cellulose in leaves, extracting nutrients efficiently.
Occasionally, they consume seeds, fruits, and flowers, depending on seasonal availability.
They live in small social groups usually consisting of a dominant male, several females, and their offspring, with groups of typically containing 3-15 individuals. Colobus monkeys are known to use vocalizations to communicate within the group and to mark their territory.
Black-and-white colobus monkeys form social bonds though grooming, which helps reduce stress and strengthen the group’s cohesion. They have a gestation period that is around six months.
After birth, infants are born with white fur, which gradually darkens as they mature, reaching adult coloration after a few months. Infants are cared for primarily by their mothers but are often carried and protected by other females in the group in a behavior known as “allomothering.”
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