Mona monkey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mona monkey |
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| Mona monkey near Grand Etang Lake, Grenada | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cercopithecus
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| Species: |
mona
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| Geographic range | |
The mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona) is a type of Old World monkey that lives in western Africa. You can find them in countries like Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and western Cameroon. These monkeys were also brought to the island of Grenada long ago, in the 1700s.
Mona monkeys are a kind of guenon. They live in groups that can have up to thirty-five monkeys. They mostly eat fruit, but they also enjoy insects and leaves. Mona monkeys have brown fur with a white patch on their bottom. Their tails and legs are black. Their faces are blue-grey with a dark stripe across them. These clever monkeys can carry food in special pouches in their cheeks!
Contents
What Does a Mona Monkey Look Like?
Mona monkeys have distinct features that help you spot them. Male mona monkeys are bigger than females. Their bodies, from head to rump, can be about 41 to 63 centimeters (16 to 25 inches) long. Their tails are even longer, reaching 52 to 73 centimeters (20 to 29 inches).
Female mona monkeys are smaller. Their bodies are usually 34 to 46 centimeters (13 to 18 inches) long. Both males and females have a brown top of the head. They have a wide, whitish band above their eyes. Their faces have grey skin and pale, bushy fur on their cheeks. The upper parts of their bodies and the outside of their arms and legs are deep brown. Their bellies and the inside of their limbs are a creamy-white color. They also have two white patches of hair near the base of their tails.
Where Do Mona Monkeys Live?
Mona monkeys are originally from the lowland forests of eastern Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and western Cameroon. They have also been introduced to the islands of Grenada and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Even though they prefer forests, these monkeys are very good at adapting. They can live in forests that have been changed by humans. You might also find them in forests along rivers in savannah areas. They can even live in mangrove forests near the Niger River delta. They are often the most common monkey species found near rivers.
Mona Monkey Life and Habits
Mona monkeys usually live in groups of about twelve monkeys. Each group typically has one adult male. However, sometimes larger groups can form. These monkey troops move through the trees, searching for food. They mostly look for fruit, but they also eat flowers, seeds, insects, and other small creatures.
Mona monkeys are quite noisy! They make a harsh, grating call. The male monkeys also have a special "ooer" sound they use as an alarm call if they sense danger. These monkeys often hang out with other types of monkeys. This includes the Lowe's mona monkey and the crested mona monkey.
How Are Mona Monkeys Doing?
The mona monkey is a common and flexible species. Sadly, their natural forest homes have been damaged by people. They are also hunted for food in some areas. However, their numbers do not seem to be dropping too much. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says their conservation status is "near-threatened." This means they are not in immediate danger, but we should still keep an eye on them.
Images for kids
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Mona monkey
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A mona monkey on Grenada
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A mona monkey with its baby
See also
- Lowe's mona monkey
- Wolf's mona monkey
- Dent's mona monkey
