Red Colobus Monkey
The red colobus monkey belongs to the primate genus of the same name, which is part of the Cercopithecidae family. Its appearance and name are primarily defined by its striking fur color.
Appearance
This ranges from black and brown on the back, to red and greyish on the arms, legs and head, to a whitish coloration on the underside. Another characteristic is the missing thumb, which is common to all Colobus monkey species. This is a special adaptation to the trees in which they live, where the lack of a thumb is better for climbing. A Red Colobus monkey can grow to between 95 and 145 centimetres (including tail). The average weight of these monkeys can be between 5 and 11 kilograms.
Diet
What is the preferred habitat of Red Colobus monkeys? As mentioned above, these mammals are tree-dwellers and are therefore mainly found in Central Africa. Here they find a good habitat in rainforests and swamp forests. However, there are also groups of monkeys that live in wooded savannas, the important thing being that there is water nearby. The trees in their habitat are so important to the monkeys because they can find their food here, which consists of young leaves, fruits, seeds and shoots. The trees are also important for the primates because they can use them to protect themselves from predators.
Lifestyle
What is the lifestyle of a Red Colobus monkey? Above all, it should be mentioned that, as with most primate species, Colobus monkeys are diurnal animals that live in groups. These troops can reach a size of 80 individuals, with one male leading the others. A Red Colobus monkey and its group have an average territory of 80 hectares, which they roam repeatedly in search of food. However, the territory is not vehemently defended against other African mammals or intruders.
