ANIMAL: L’Hoest’s Monkey Cercopithecus lhoesti Type of Animal: Old World Monkey Habitat: Forests, wooded savanna, forest borders, woodland Location(s): Upper E. Congo Basin Appearance: Dark brown coat w/ chestnut color across back, light gray cheeks w/ pale moustache, male larger than female & has bright blue scrotum. Male has longer canines than female. Babies light orange/red. Food/Diet: Leaves, fruits, buds, blossoms, bark, stems, seeds, herbs, mushrooms, vegetables, roots, eggs, small birds, lizards, insects Status in Wild: Threatened Conservation: Breeding in zoos, wildlife parks, & breeding centers Lifestyle: Troops consist of male w/ harem of 5-17 females & offspring. Troop females often related to each other & females often stay in natal troop for life, harem male stays until replaced. Males leave when they reach 3-5 years old, forming small bachelor troops w/ other younger males & haremless mature males until supplanting established harem male. Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young-Infant Group-Troop Weight: Male- 13-22 lbs Female- 6.6-9.9 lbs Young- 1-1.5 lbs Gestation: 5 months Body Length: Male- 1.7-2.3 ft Female- 1.47-1.8 ft Life Span: 20 years in wild, up to 30 years in captivity Tail Length: Male- 2.2-2.47 ft Female- 1.57-1.8 ft Main predators are leopards, baboons, raptors, golden cats, snakes, & dogs. Declining due to logging, habitat loss, pet trade, bushmeat trade, hunting for fur, strip mining, & persecution as crop pests. Not usually found near other species of monkey. Females usually initiate mating. If threatened by predator, they’re very vocal. Fun Fact(s): They’re very good at swinging from tree to tree. They can defend themselves w/ canine teeth if need be. Like many monkeys, they don’t like water. Also called “mountain monkeys” due to preference for montane forest.
