Diana monkey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Diana monkey |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| A Diana monkey at the Zoo de la Bourbansais | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cercopithecus
|
| Species: |
diana
|
 |
|
| Where Diana monkeys and roloway monkeys live | |
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Diana monkey (Cercopithecus diana) is a type of Old World monkey. You can find them high up in the trees of forests in countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, and western Côte d’Ivoire. This monkey got its name because of a white stripe above its eyes. People thought it looked like the bow of the Roman goddess Diana. These monkeys are mostly black or dark grey. They have a white throat, a special crescent-shaped band above their eyes, and a white ruff and beard.
Contents
Meet the Diana Monkey!
Diana monkeys are part of a group of monkeys called guenons. Scientists used to think that the Roloway monkey and the Dryas monkey were just types of Diana monkeys. But now, they know these are actually their own separate species. The Roloway monkey lives in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. The Dryas monkey is found in the DR Congo.
Where Do They Live?
These monkeys live in West Africa. Their home stretches from Sierra Leone all the way to Côte d'Ivoire. They prefer to live in old, untouched forests. They don't do well in forests that have been cut down and are growing back.
What Do They Look Like?
Diana monkeys are about 40 to 55 centimeters (16 to 22 inches) long. This measurement doesn't include their tail. Their tail is long, about 50 to 75 centimeters (20 to 30 inches). It's also quite thick, about 3 to 4 centimeters (1 to 1.5 inches) around. Adult Diana monkeys usually weigh between 4 and 7 kilograms (9 to 15 pounds).
Their fur is mostly black or dark grey. But they have some cool white parts! This includes their throat, a crescent-shaped band above their eyes, and a white ruff and beard. The white band above their eyes is what reminded people of the goddess Diana. Their underarms are also white. They have a white stripe running down their thighs. The back of their thighs and their lower backs are a chestnut color. Their fur is generally rough and tough.
A Day in the Life of a Diana Monkey
Diana monkeys can live for up to 20 years if they are healthy. They are active during the day. They spend their time looking for food at all levels of the forest canopy. They rarely go down to the ground because they are afraid of predators. At night, Diana monkeys go to the very top branches of trees to sleep. They don't build nests.
What Do They Eat?
Their main diet includes fruits, blossoms, and leaves. Sometimes, they also eat insects and other small creatures without backbones.
Who Hunts Them?
Sadly, Diana monkeys are hunted by several animals. These include the crowned hawk-eagle, the African leopard, and the common chimpanzee. Humans also hunt them.
How Do They Talk?
Diana monkeys are quite noisy in the forest! They use their bright colors to send messages to each other. Female Diana monkeys make different alarm calls, alert calls, and greeting calls. When there's danger, they make special calls depending on what kind of predator is nearby. Some studies suggest that female monkeys have more types of calls than males.
Other animals in the forest, like the yellow-casqued hornbill and other monkeys, can understand these calls. They use the calls to know if there's danger nearby.
Diana monkeys also make loud noises to warn other monkeys about leopards or other rivals in their area.
Family Life
Diana monkey groups usually have one male, several females, and their babies. If conditions are good, adult females can have a baby every year. A mother monkey is pregnant for about 5 months. The baby then drinks its mother's milk for another 6 months. Usually, only one baby is born at a time.
When they are born, baby Diana monkeys are quite developed. Their eyes are open, and they can hold onto their mothers. Mothers seem very protective of their young babies, especially in zoos. They rarely let their young infants leave them. But as the babies grow, they become very playful. Young monkeys become adults when they are about 3 years old. Female monkeys stay with their mothers' groups. Male monkeys leave their family groups just before they become adults.
Why Are They Endangered?
The Diana monkey is considered an endangered species. This means they are at high risk of disappearing forever. The biggest dangers to them are habitat destruction and hunting. Their forest homes are being destroyed. This means they are now mostly found in areas near the coast. People also hunt them for food.
Like most primates, Diana monkeys can carry diseases that can spread to humans. These include diseases like yellow fever and tuberculosis.
Gallery
-
A Diana monkey seen from the side.
-
A Diana monkey at the Henry Doorly Zoo.
-
A Diana monkey at the Munich Zoo.
,_Tierpark_Hellabrunn,_M%C3%BAnich,_Alemania,_2012-06-17,_DD_01.jpg)
