CHERRY-CROWNED MANGABEY
Cercocebus torquatus
DESCRIPTION
The Cherry-crowned Mangabey, or Cercocebus torquatus, is a medium-sized primate characterized by its distinctive crown of cherry-red fur on its head, contrasting with its dark brown to gray body. These monkeys are known for their long limbs and tails, which aid in their arboreal lifestyle, allowing them to navigate the treetops of their forest habitats with agility. Socially, they are active and vocal, often seen foraging in groups and communicating through a variety of calls, which play a crucial role in maintaining group cohesion and alerting others to potential threats.
FUN FACTS
- Cherry-crowned Mangabeys are known for their impressive vocal communication, which includes a range of calls that can convey different messages to their group members
- This vocal ability is crucial for their survival in dense forest environments where visibility is limited
- | These primates are also highly adaptable, able to exploit a variety of food sources in their habitat, which helps them thrive in changing environmental conditions
- Their social structure is complex, with strong bonds formed between group members, particularly between mothers and their offspring
QUICK INFO
Lifespan20-25 years in the wild, up to 30 in captivity
Average Weight8-12 kg
Average Length50-70 cm
Diet TypeOmnivore
Social Structuregroup — they live in social groups that can vary in size, typically consisting of multiple females and a few males.
Activity PatternDiurnal
Breeding SeasonYear-round, with peaks depending on local conditions
- Habitat
- These primates inhabit tropical and subtropical forests, often favoring areas with dense vegetation. They are highly arboreal, spending much of their time in the trees where they find food and shelter.
- Biomes
- Tropical Rainforest, Subtropical Forest
- Native Range
- The Cherry-crowned Mangabey is native to the coastal forests of West Africa, particularly in countries like Nigeria and Cameroon.
- Continent
- Africa
- Countries
- Nigeria, Cameroon
- Diet
- Cherry-crowned Mangabeys primarily consume fruits, leaves, and seeds, but they also include insects in their diet. This omnivorous diet allows them to adapt to varying food availability in their habitat.
- Diet Type
- Omnivore
- Favorite Food
- Fruits and seeds
- Social Structure
- group — they live in social groups that can vary in size, typically consisting of multiple females and a few males.
- Activity Pattern
- Diurnal
- Group Size
- 10-30
- Territorial
- 1
VU
VU
8-12 kg
Weight
50-70 cm
Length
- Coloration
- Dark brown to gray body with a distinctive cherry-red crown of fur.
- Sexual Dimorphism
- Males are generally larger than females.
- Lifespan
- 20-25 years in the wild, up to 30 in captivity
- Gestation Period
- 160 days
- Offspring per Birth
- 1
- Sexual Maturity
- 3-4 years
- Breeding Season
- Year-round, with peaks depending on local conditions
EN
Endangered
IUCN Red List Status
- Population Status
- The population of Cherry-crowned Mangabeys is currently declining due to habitat loss and hunting.
- Wild Population Estimate
- 10,000-15,000
- Population Trend
- Decreasing
- Endangered
- 1
- Threats
- The main threats to Cherry-crowned Mangabeys include habitat destruction due to logging and agricultural expansion, as well as hunting for bushmeat. These pressures have led to significant declines in their populations.
- Conservation Program
- Various local conservation initiatives aim to protect their habitats and reduce hunting pressure.
- Predators
- Large birds of prey, leopards, and other large carnivores may prey on Cherry-crowned Mangabeys, particularly the young or sick individuals.
- Defense Mechanisms
- They use vocalizations to warn of predators and can also flee into the trees to escape threats.
- Found in Zoos
- Uncommon