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Eastern Black and White Colobus
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Mammals |
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Africa |
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Afrika Pavilion |
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Cercopithcidae |
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6,5 to 14, 5 K.G |
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Tropical Forests, meadow forests |
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Leaves, fruits, buds |
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6 months |
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1 |
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Eagles, leopards, chimpanzees |
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Endangered |
This
African monkey soaks its bushy tail with urine to intensify its odour.
The Eastern Black and White Colobus has a thick, long distinctive contrasting
black and white coat. It climbs and easily jumps from branch to branch with its
strong back legs. It can do 15 metres jumps. The male can weigh between 9 and
14.5 kg (20 to 32 lbs) and a female can weigh from 6.5 to 10 kg (14 to 22 lbs).
The male body length can measure between 54 and 72 cm (25 to 29 in.) and the
female from 45 to 65 cm (18 to 26 in.); the tail can be up to a meter long (3
feet)! The colour vision is well developed. It lives in the tropical forests as
well as in meadows and wooded areas. It is found in Western Central Africa and
in Eastern Africa in lower lands or in altitude. This herbivorous monkey feeds
mostly on young leaves but also on: flowers, fruit, buds, bark, seeds and
insects. It has a large stomach similar to that of ruminants which allows the
fermentation and digestion of large quantities of leaves. This tree-dwelling
species is gregarious and diurnal. It can live in groups ranging from 3 to 15
individuals made up of only one breeding male, a few females and young. The
social structure is based on the females’ kinships. A female gives birth to only
one young at a time and its gestation period is about six months (180 days). The
predators are Crowned Eagles, leopards and chimpanzees. These monkeys can live
up to about 20 years old. A colony can have a devastating effect on some types
of cultures. The forestry exploitation and deforestation for agriculture
purposes has largely reduced its habitat. The Eastern Black and White Colobus is
currently considered as an endangered species because of the hunt for its
beautiful fur coat and meat.