Tantalus monkey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tantalus monkey |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chlorocebus
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| Species: |
tantalus
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| Geographic range map | |
The Tantalus monkey (Chlorocebus tantalus) is a type of monkey from Africa. It lives in a wide area, from countries like Ghana all the way to Sudan. These monkeys are part of a group called Chlorocebus. Scientists used to think they were a type of grivet monkey. The good news is that there are lots of Tantalus monkeys around. Because of this, experts say they are a "least concern" animal, meaning they are not in danger of disappearing.
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Types of Tantalus Monkeys
The Tantalus monkey has three main types, called subspecies:
- C. t. tantalus
- C. t. budgetti
- C. t. marrensis
What Tantalus Monkeys Look Like
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The Tantalus monkey is a medium-sized monkey. It has a black face and a very long tail. You can spot a white or yellowish band above its eyes. This band looks a bit wavy.
Its cheeks and temples are white. The long hairs on its face sweep backward. Sometimes, these hairs cover the monkey's ears, especially in older ones. The top of its head and its back are greenish or golden. Its belly is white. The tail and the outside of its legs are grey. The tip of its tail might even be white.
Male Tantalus monkeys are bigger than females. Males also have a bright blue area below their tail. This blue part is surrounded by orange hairs.
Where Tantalus Monkeys Live
These monkeys live in the middle part of Africa. You can find them in many countries. These include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. They also live in Chad, Congo, Ghana, Kenya, and Niger. Other places are Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Tantalus monkeys are very good at adapting. They can live in many different places. These include open woodlands and savannah grasslands. They also like areas where forests meet grasslands. You can find them near rivers in forests too. They are comfortable living in forests that have grown back. They even live in rural areas and cities.
How Tantalus Monkeys Live
Tantalus monkeys live in groups called troops. A troop usually has about thirty monkeys. This can include up to ten adult males and eighteen adult females. There are also many young monkeys and babies. Some adult males might live alone.
Each troop has a social order. This means some monkeys are more important than others. These monkeys spend a lot of their time on the ground. They also climb trees.
Each troop has its own special area, called a territory. They protect this area by making loud noises. They also make threatening moves to keep other troops away. But some groups are not as aggressive. They might share parts of their territory with other nearby troops.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Baby monkeys are born at different times of the year. This depends on where the monkeys live. Usually, a female monkey has one baby at a time. Females often have their first baby when they are about five years old.
