Black colobus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black colobus |
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| Black colobus (Colobus satanas) (right) | |
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Colobus
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satanas
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| Black colobus range | |
The black colobus (Colobus satanas) is a type of Old World monkey. It lives in a small part of western central Africa. These monkeys are large and covered in black fur. Like other Colobus monkeys, they do not have a thumb. Their numbers have dropped a lot because their homes are being destroyed. Also, people hunt them. Because of this, they were listed as Vulnerable in 1994. This means they are at risk of disappearing.
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Understanding the Black Colobus
The black colobus monkey is one of five types in the Colobus group. Scientists believe it is the oldest type in this group. It is thought to have split off from other monkeys about 3 to 4 million years ago.
There are two kinds of black colobus monkeys:
- Colobus satanas satanas – also called the Bioko black colobus
- Colobus satanas anthracinus – also called the Gabon black colobus
Why the Name "Colobus"?
The name Colobus comes from a Greek word. It means 'mutilated' or 'cut off'. This is because all Colobus monkeys have only a short stump where their thumb should be. The word satanas comes from Greek too. It means 'the accuser' or 'the devil'.
What Does a Black Colobus Look Like?
The black colobus monkey is a big monkey. Its body is about 50 to 70 centimeters long. Its tail is even longer, around 80 centimeters. Like all Colobus monkeys, they are slender. They have tough skin pads on their bottoms called ischial callosities.
Males and females look very similar. Adult males weigh between 10 and 15 kilograms. Females weigh a bit less, about 10 to 11 kilograms. The black colobus is covered in black fur. Only its ears and face are not black. It has longer hairs on its cheeks and forehead. Unlike other colobus monkeys, black colobuses have no white markings. The two types of black colobus look very much alike. However, the fur of Colobus s. satanas is a little longer and fluffier. We don't know exactly how long they live yet.
Where Do Black Colobuses Live?
You can find the black colobus monkey in Equatorial Guinea. They also live in southwest Cameroon and central and northwest Gabon. Small groups might also be in the north of the Republic of the Congo. One type, C.s.satanas, lives only on Bioko Island. This island is off the coast of Cameroon.
The areas where black colobuses live have shrunk a lot. They are now rare or gone in some places. This is because their habitat is being destroyed by logging. Black colobuses live in small numbers. We don't have a total count of how many there are. One of the biggest groups, with 50,000 to 55,900 monkeys, is in Lope Reserve, Gabon. Other large groups are in Foret des Abeilles in central Gabon. They are also found in Douala-Edea Reserve in Cameroon.
The black colobus lives high in the trees. They prefer the tops of thick rainforests. Sometimes they are found in coastal sand dunes or wooded meadows. They cannot live in forests that have regrown after being cut down. So, they usually stay away from areas where people live. It is very hard to keep black colobuses in zoos. This is because they need special food and a specific habitat.
Black Colobus Behaviour
What Do Black Colobuses Eat?
Black colobus monkeys are herbivores. This means they eat plants. They mostly eat seeds. Their strong, flat teeth help them chew tough seeds easily. Because they eat seeds, they help spread them around. This is important for the ecosystem. Black colobuses also eat many leaves, especially lianas. They also eat flowers, buds, and unripe fruits.
Unlike most monkeys, colobus monkeys have special stomachs. Their stomachs have many chambers, like a cow's. This helps them digest leaves easily. They like younger leaves and seeds best. These have more nutrients. They also have fewer chemicals that stop digestion, like tannin. But black colobus monkeys can handle high levels of these chemicals. This means they can eat food that other colobus monkeys cannot digest. This allows them to live in areas where other monkeys don't. Black colobus monkeys have also been seen eating soil. They might do this to get enough minerals like sodium.
How Do Black Colobuses Live Together?
Black colobus monkeys live in groups of 10 to 20 individuals. These groups have more than one male. They are territorial. They make loud calls to warn other groups to stay away from their feeding areas. The black colobus call is special. It sounds like a loud 'sneeze' followed by a roaring noise.
Sometimes, single male crested mona monkeys join black colobus groups. These monkeys groom and socialize with the colobuses. People think they join for protection. Colobus monkeys have even been known to react to crested mona monkey alarm calls.
Daily Activities of Black Colobuses
Black colobus monkeys are active during the day. They spend about 60% of their time resting. The rest of their day is spent eating, socializing, and moving. Black colobuses have large areas where they live. They can move up to 850 meters each day looking for food.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Black colobus monkeys do not have a special breeding season. But most mating happens when it is rainy. Males are ready to mate at age 6. Females are ready at age 4. Females give birth to one baby. This happens after about 195 days of gestation. Females usually have a baby every 20 months.
Black colobus babies are born with brown fur. They turn black as they grow. This is different from all other Colobus species. Other colobus babies are born with white fur. Sometimes, other monkeys in the group help mothers care for their babies. This is called Allomothering. It is not very common in black colobus monkeys. Mothers carry their babies around. Babies also play with other group members as they grow. This helps them learn and socialize.
Protecting the Black Colobus
The black colobus monkey is one of the most endangered monkey species in Africa. It is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This is because its population has dropped by over 30% in the last 30 years. The C.s.satanas type is even more at risk. It is classified as Endangered. Its population has dropped by over 60% in the last 30 years. Black colobus monkeys are now only found in places that are hard for people to reach.
Their numbers have gone down because of logging. Also, illegal hunting for their fur started in the 1800s. Now, with better roads and more money in the area, hunting them for trade has become more common. Today, black colobus monkeys are mostly hunted for their meat. They make up 20% of the wild animal meat sold in Malabo. Malabo is the capital of Equatorial Guinea.
The black colobus monkey is protected under Appendix II of CITES. This limits international trade of the species. It is also listed under Class B of the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. We need more information to help protect this species. Programs like the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program work with local people. They aim to learn more about the black colobus monkey. Their goal is to protect it from disappearing.
