Habitat
They are primarily ground-dwelling
primates and are often found in open bush and grass savanna regions.
They also reside in woodland savannas but avoid densely wooded areas. |
Physical
Characteristics
Patas monkeys have a head
and body length of 24-35 inches (61-89 cm); males are usually
larger than females. Their tail is 20-30 inches (51-76 cm) in
length. Males weigh 15-29 pounds (6.8-13.2 kg), while females
weigh less, from 9-15 pounds (4.1-6.8 kg). |
Life
Span
15 to 20 years in the wild; over 20 years in
zoos |
Diet
In the wild: Patas are
omnivores but are especially dependent on the pods, seeds, gall,
young leaves, gum and flowers of acadia trees. They also eat
grasses, berries, seeds, fruits, insects, eggs, lizards and young
birds.
At the zoo: Keepers
feed them greens (romaine, kale, spinach, cabbage, broccoli and
celery), fruits, insects, grasses and monkey chow.
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Reproduction
Females reach sexual maturity at about 2.5 years of age. Males are
sexually mature at 3.5-4.5 years. Gestation lasts approximately 167 days,
after which the female gives birth to one offspring.
Life Cycle
A patas
troop generally has only one adult male and four to 10 females. Other
patas males either live alone or in bachelor groups. The highest-ranking
female is in charge of the troop, not the male. The male patas monkey
spends much of his time perched high in trees or rock outcroppings,
on the lookout for predators and other dangers.
Tied to the Earth
Many species of primates live in African
tropical forests. However, only three types of monkeys still inhabit the African
savanna: patas monkeys, vervet monkeys and four species of baboons. All savanna
primates are primarily diurnal and terrestrial. Patas monkeys are well adapted
for this life on the ground. Although they can climb trees, they tend to do so
only at night or when looking out for predators. As night approaches, the troop
separates and each monkey goes to a separate tree. Females go to a tree with
their infant.
Primary predators of patas monkeys include leopards, cheetahs, eagles,
hyenas and jackals. If a predator approaches, the ever-watchful male
patas creates a diversionary display. Bouncing noisily on bushes
or trees, he draws attention to himself and away from the females
and young. This gives the rest of the troop time to silently flee
or to hide in the long grass. Additionally, the coloration of patas
enables them to use their savanna surroundings as camouflage. They
are reddish-brown, mixed with gray on the upper sides of their body
for better camouflage in savanna grasses. The undersides of their
bodies range from white or gray to pinkish. Adult males have long,
mane-like hair around their nape and shoulders, and they have a white
mustache.
Quick on Their Feet
Patas may cover
0.3-9 miles (0.5-14.5 km) per day in search of food. Their
long, slender arms and legs enable them to run up to 35 miles (56 km)
per hour. When required, a patas can go zero to 33 miles per hour (0-53
km/h) in just three seconds. Because they are so fast and agile, patas
monkeys rarely stand and fight when threatened by a predator. Instead,
they depend on their speed to help them escape.
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Fascinating
Facts
- Male patas have proportionally the longest
canines of any primate!
- Although generally quiet, patas monkeys
will bark upon meeting another troop!
- When relaxed, patas monkeys lean back and
put up their feet!
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Patas
monkeys are in the north end of the zoo's award-winning exhibit,
the African Savanna. As you watch the patas monkey, scan the horizon
for other mammals that may come into view, such as plains zebra,
fringe-eared oryx and reticulated giraffe. African wild dogs, lion
and hippopotamus can be viewed at their exhibits in the savanna area.
Also look for a variety of African savanna birds.
Although
patas monkeys are not listed as an endangered or threatened species,
the same cannot be said for other old world monkeys. At least 27
other species of monkeys in the family Cercopithecidae are listed
as endangered.** Additionally, humans frequently hunt patas monkeys
for their meat or because they are sometimes considered pests.
Patas monkeys may raid cultivated crops. Furthermore, heavy cattle
grazing and the conversion of savanna areas into farmland have
reduced available habitat for patas monkeys. However, in some instances,
deforestation has converted once humid areas into drier savanna
zones. In turn, this actually increases suitable habitat for patas
monkeys.
Woodland Park Zoo Is Helping-With
Your Support!
For many animals, flexible and sustainable
conservation programs are essential. Partnerships with other zoos can support
healthy captive populations, while in-situ fieldwork can provide successful on-ground
solutions for helping the patas monkey's habitat. An example of such a program
is in the form of land protection agreements.
Each in-situ project supported by the zoo aims to provide a broad, holistic approach
to conservation, encompassing research, education, habitat and species preservation.
This includes comprehensive, cooperative strategies to link the needs of animals
with the people who share their ecosystems.
How You Can Help!
Woodland Park Zoo contributes information
to the captive breeding, husbandry and public awareness of this intriguing species.
The effort to save African mammals requires cooperation and support at the international,
national, regional, and individual levels. You can help in this cause.
Join and become active in Woodland Park Zoo and other conservation organizations
of your choice. Let your elected representatives know your views on protecting
endangered species and wild habitats. Please do not buy products made from wild
animal parts.
Contact Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to find out how
you can support conservation efforts at the zoo. Learn other ways you can help
conserve wildlife and the habitats they require for survival by visiting our How You Can Help page.
Sources and Suggested Reading
Nowak, Ronald M. ed. 1991. Walker's Mammals
of the World. 5th Edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore
and London. 1629 p.
Wolfheim, Jaclyn H. 1983. Primates of the World: Distribution,
Abundance, and Conservation. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA.
831 p.
For Kids!
Julivert, Maria Angels. 1996. Primates. Barrons, New
York, NY. 31 p.
Zoobooks. 1994. Old World Primates. Wildlife Education Ltd,
San Diego, CA. 18 p.
Other Resources
Woodland Park Zoo Animal Management
Staff: Personal Correspondence
Woodland Park Zoo – Teacher
Packet Fact Sheet (Patas Monkey)
* 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, 2nd edition, edited by Don E. Wilson and Dee Ann
M. Reeder, 1993. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C. 1206 p.
** There are several international
and federal agencies that determine the endangered status of species. WPZ designates
a species as endangered if it is listed as endangered on the IUCN (International
Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List, the US Fish & Wildlife Service's
Endangered Species List, or on Appendix I of CITES (Convention on the International
Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna).
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