Classification
and Range
They range
from southeastern Cameroon eastward through the Central African Republic,
Zaire, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and western Kenya, northward to Ethiopia
and Sudan. They are also found in northern Angola, Gabon and Equatorial
Guinea.
Habitat
DeBrazza's
guenons prefers dense swamp, bamboo and dry mountain forests associated
with streams, rivers
and dense vegetation. They are found at elevations up to 6,890 feet
(2,100 m). |
Physical Characteristics
Their gray-green coloring offers excellent camouflage from predators
such as leopards, eagles, pythons and other primates. Adults
are nearly identical in appearance, each having distinctive
white lip whiskers and long beard, and a orange-red crescent-shaped
patch on the brow. They have a white rump and white thigh strip.
Individual animals recognize each other by variations in patterns
around the face, and at times on the rear. Males have a bright
blue scrotum.
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Weight
The average weight for a male is 15 pounds (7
kg), female weight is approximately 10 pounds (4.5 kg).
Males
are noticeably larger than females. Male head and body length is
19-23.5 inches (47.5-52 cm); tail length is 23-31 inches (57.5-77.5
cm). Female head and body length is 15.5-21.5 inches (39-54 cm);
tail length 18.5-22.5 inches (46-56 cm). Their tail length is longer
than their combined head and body length. |
Life
Span
Life span in the wild up to 22 years; in captivity
up to 30 years. |
Diet
In the wild: Up
to 75% of their diet are fruits and seeds. They also consume
leaves, mushrooms, flowers, and small animals such reptiles
and arthropods.
At the zoo: Greens,
fruits and monkey biscuits. |
Reproduction
DeBrazzas
guenons reach sexual maturity in 5 to 6 years. They have a primarily
polygynous mating system, although
some appear to be monogamous. They are the only Old World monkey known
to practice monogamy. DeBrazza's guenons breed throughout the year.
After a gestation period of about 168-187 days, a single infant is born;
twins are rare.
Newly born
infants are born with eyes open and covered with light brown fur.
Infants
cling tightly to their mother's
stomach for security and protection from predators. Although they
are not weaned for about a year, young do begin to nibble solid foods
after about 2 months of age.
Life Cycle
Although a troop can number up 35 individuals,
10-15 is more common. Troops are normally comprised of one dominant
male, one or more females and their young. Smaller family groups of
one male and one female are not uncommon. Females may stay with their
troop for their entire lives. Younger males that have not achieved
full adult coloring can also remain with their troop.
Troop territories
overlap, with no known territorial defense between DeBrazza's
guenon troops. Males become very territorial when another monkey
species approaches their food trees. Fights are not uncommon, and
the whole troop may take part in forcing the intruders from their
territory.
DeBrazza's guenons are diurnal, spending the majority
of their time low in the forest canopy or on the forest floor eating
berries, leaves, fruits and invertebrates. Foraging normally takes
place around dawn and dusk. They have cheek pouches in which they
quickly store food with their hands as they forage in exposed areas.
Only later, when they are in a safe area will they take the time
to eat their food.
What
a Face
The French word guenon means “"fright", and refers
to the variety of facial expressions this animal uses, in various
combinations, to threaten or when anxious. To threaten they can
stare with fixed eyes, raised eyebrows and stretched back facial
skin, they may stare with open mouth, or they might bob their
head up and down, or yawn and expose their large canines. A submissive
signal might be retracted lips to bare their clenched teeth. Head-shaking also
takes place when tension is high within the troop.
Call of the Wild
Males are by far the noisier sex.
The troop leader can produce a deep, humming boom, which is enhanced
as he inflates his vocal sac. The male also has a couple methods for
warning troop members of the approach of a predator. He may produce
a loud chattering bark, quickly followed by single barking croaks.
Or he may loudly shake the branches of a tree. These actions are believed
to be attempts by the male to draw the predator's attention away
from the troop. As a last resort, the male may even attack the predator
in defense of this troop.
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Fascinating
Facts
- These
guenons “"freeze" when
alarmed. They have been observed remaining immobile for up
to eight hours!
- Like most Old World monkeys, its tail is
too weak to be used for hanging. It is only used for balance!
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DeBrazza's
guenons are not currently being exhibited. Other species you will find as
you stroll through the outside portion of the Tropical Rain Forest
are the red-flanked duiker, black & white colobus, and western
lowland gorilla.
Throughout
the majority of its range, DeBrazza's populations are at a
healthy level. Their numbers, however, have drastically dropped in
recent years in some areas. This is primarily due to the fragmentation
of its habitat caused by the clearing of forests for agricultural
expansion or commercial logging. Their capture for the pet trade
is also having an impact. Recent escalation of logging and bush meat
trade, however, poses a potential threat to their survival throughout
their range.
Many
international organizations are working with African countries to
establish and secure wildlife habitats, and to curb the rampant bush
meat trade. In North America, the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' (AZA) Species Survival
Plan (SSP) manages the population of this species.
How You Can Help!
The effort to save African mammals requires cooperation and support
at the regional, national and international levels. You can help
in this cause. Join and become active in a conservation organization
of your choice. Don't buy products made from wild animal
parts. Tell your elected representatives on the national, state
and local levels about the importance of preserving wild habitats
and endangered species.
Contact
Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org about supporting
conservation programs at the zoo. Learn other ways you can help conserve
wildlife and habitats by visiting our How You Can Help page.
Sources and Suggested Reading
Estes, R.D. 1991. The Behavior Guide to
African Mammals. University of California Press, CA.
Kingdon, Jonathon. The Kingdon Field Guide to
African Mammals. Academic Press, Harcourt, Brace and Company,
Publishers, New York, NY. 464 p.
Nowak, Ronald M., ed. 1991. Walker's
Mammals of the World. 5th Edition. The John Hopkins University
Press, Baltimore and London. 1,629 p.
Rowe, Noel. 1996. The Pictorial Guide to the Living
Primates. Pogonias Press, East Hampton, New York, NY. 263 p.
More
References
* Taxonomic classification varies between
references. Classification information used in this fact sheet was
taken from Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic And Geographic
Reference, edited by Don E. Wilson and Dee Ann M. Reeder, Second
Edition, 1993.
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