ANIMAL: Black Crested Mangabey Lophocebus atterimus Type of Animal: Old World Monkey Habitat: Forests & swampland Location(s): W Democratic Republic of Congo & extreme NC Angola bordering Congo Appearance: Slender black monkey w/ long limbs/hair, large grayish-brown cheeks/cheek pouches, black crest, dark eyelids, long tail, bushy sideburns, sometimes called “baboon mangabeys” Food/Diet: Fruit, leaves, nuts, shoots, roots, seeds, flowers, nectar, bark, maize, sweet potatoes, insects, spiders, small mammals, birds Status in Wild: Threatened Conservation: Breeding in zoos, wildlife parks, & breeding centers Lifestyle: Troops of up to 40 animals led by dominant male Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young: Infant Group: Troop Weight: Male: 13.22-24.25 lbs Female: 8.82-15.43 lbs Young: 3 lbs Gestation: 5.5-6 months Life Span: 18 years in wild, 30 years in captivity Height: 1.48-2.13 ft, same for both sexes Body Length: 1.48-2.13 ft, same for both sexes Tail Length: 2.62-2.78 ft, same for both sexes Main predators are leopards, golden cats, pythons, crocodiles, & crowned eagles. Threatened due to deforestation, habitat loss, bushmeat hunting, & pet trade. Females often stay in same troop for life while males leave at ages 4-5. Like many monkeys, they’re active during the day (diurnal). Also called Black Mangabeys or Baboon Mangabeys. Large cheek pouches allow them to stuff faces full of food as they rummage through forest. Large incisors/flat molars allow them to crack open hard seeds/nuts. To show submission, subordinate animals present bottoms to dominant animals. Females pout by protruding lips to show sexual receptivity. Head-bobs & staring are threat displays. Every time group moves to new location, nasally grunts emitted. Also emitted when greeting each other. Chuckles & whoop-gobbles signal alarm/danger. Play important role in seed dispersal & in pollination. Fun Fact(s): They’re excellent jumpers. Like many primates, female butt swells & becomes pinkish when in heat. Same-sex individuals mount each other to show dominance.
