Guenons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Guenons
Roloway monkey
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Suborder:	Haplorhini
Infraorder:	Simiiformes
Family:	Cercopithecidae
Subfamily:	Cercopithecinae
Tribe:	Cercopithecini
Genus:	Cercopithecus Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Simia diana Linnaeus, 1758

Guenons are a group of colorful monkeys found only in Africa. They are known for their bright faces and unique fur patterns. These monkeys belong to the scientific group called Cercopithecus. They are a type of Old World monkey, which means they live in Africa and Asia. This is different from New World monkeys that live in the Americas.

Guenons are very active and spend most of their lives in trees. They are an important part of the forest ecosystems where they live.

About Guenons

Guenons are medium-sized monkeys. They have long tails and often have patches of bright fur. Their faces can be very striking, with different colors and markings. These markings help them recognize each other. Each guenon species has its own special look. This makes them easy to tell apart.

For example, some guenons have blue faces. Others might have a white beard or a red patch on their back. Their fur can be shades of brown, black, grey, or even olive green.

Where Guenons Live

All guenons live in sub-Saharan Africa. This means the parts of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Most guenons are forest monkeys. They prefer to live in dense rainforests or woodlands. They can be found in many different countries across Africa.

Guenons spend most of their time in the trees. They use their long tails to help them balance as they move through the branches. They are very agile and can jump long distances between trees.

What Guenons Eat

Guenons are mostly omnivores. This means they eat both plants and animals. Their diet mainly includes fruits, leaves, and flowers. They also enjoy eating insects, spiders, and other small creatures. Sometimes, they might even eat bird eggs.

They spend a lot of their day searching for food. Their varied diet helps them get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

Guenon Social Life

Guenons are very social animals. They live in groups called troops. These troops can have anywhere from a few monkeys to many dozens. A troop usually includes one adult male, several adult females, and their young.

They communicate with each other using different sounds. They also use body language and facial expressions. These signals help them warn each other about danger. They also use them to show who is in charge. Living in a group helps them find food and protect themselves from predators.

Different Kinds of Guenons

The Cercopithecus genus includes many different species of guenons. Each species has its own unique features and habits. Some of the well-known species include the Diana monkey, De Brazza's monkey, and the blue monkey.

Many of these species have small areas where they live. Some even have local types called subspecies. These subspecies might look slightly different from others of the same species.

Guenons and Their Relatives

You might have heard of vervet monkeys or green monkeys. These monkeys used to be considered part of the Cercopithecus genus. Their scientific name was Cercopithecus aethiops. However, scientists later decided they were different enough to be in their own genus. This new genus is called Chlorocebus. So, while they are related, they are no longer called guenons.

Why Guenons Need Our Help

Many guenon species are facing serious threats. Some are even threatened or endangered. The biggest problem they face is habitat loss. This happens when their forest homes are cut down for farming, logging, or building.

When their forests disappear, guenons lose their food and shelter. They also become more vulnerable to hunters. It is very important to protect their habitats. This helps ensure these amazing monkeys can continue to thrive in the wild. Conservation efforts are working to save their homes and protect their future.

Images for kids

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  Guenons in Mefou Sanctuary, Cameroon

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  De Brazza's monkey (C. neglectus)

See also

In Spanish: Cercopitecos para niños