Black and White Colobus Monkey
Colobus guereza kikuyuensis
CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Primates
FAMILY: Cercopithecidae
SIZE:
3-5 feet, most of which is tail; 20-30 lbs.
RANGE:
Central Africa, from Nigeria to Ethipia and Tanzania
HABITAT:
Forests
DIET:
Wild - Mainly leaves
Zoo - Sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, bananas, primate chow
DESCRIPTION:
These slender tree dwellers have very long, non-prehensile tails; long silky black and white fur
FACTS:
Arboreal (tree dwelling); seldom descend to ground
Contrasting colors provide camouflage in the dark forests by blending in with light and shadows.
Reacts to threat by hiding
The lack of a thumb sets them apart from all other primates.
Their name is derived from the Greek word "kolobus" meaning maimed or mutilated.
Enemies: eagles and sometimes chimps
According to legend, Colobus is the messenger of God, because they climb to top of tall trees at sunrise and sunset and sit quietly as though praying.
STATUS:
CITES App. II; Endangered due being hunted by man for their long, silky black and white fur.
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