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Scientific Name: Cercopithecus ascanius
Common Name: Redtail Monkey, Schmidt's Guenon
Distribution: Redtail monkeys are found in Africa
from the Central African Republic eastwards through Kenya and south into
Angola and Zambia. Populations are most dense in Uganda
Description: The recognizable markings of adult
redtail monkeys include a black face, bluish skin around the eyes, a white
spot on the nose, and white cheek fur. The name 'redtail' comes from the
chestnut-colored fur on the underside of the tail. The rest of the body
is covered with a speckled brown coat and gray or black limbs, depending
on the subspecies.
Difference in Sex: Males are bigger than females.
Other than size differences, males and females of this species are very
similar.
Average Weight: 2 to 6 kg
Habitat: Redtail monkeys can live in a rather
large variety of habitats. They are mainly found in the middle canopy of
tropical rain forest habitats. However, they have also been observed in
swamp forests, secondary forests, riverine gallery forest, and other woodlands
Habits: Redtail monkeys tend to be found in medium-sized
groups of 11 to 14 individuals containing one male and a matrilineal group
of females . It is common for several of these troops to congregate together
at food resources or in large trees during resting periods . Groups of
redtail monkeys travel approximately 1.4 km each day in search of food.
Groups defend their home ranges of about 120 hectares primarily through
visual threats and, if necessary, physical combat. The visual communication
system consists of eyebrow raising, facial skin stretching, and head-bobbing
. These signals are commonly used to warn potential predators or unwanted
intruders. Vocal communication consists of birdlike chirps between members
of a group . This form of communication is mainly used socially among members
of the same unit. These associated individuals may also identify one another
by nose-to-nose greeting, in which two individuals press their muzzles
together. After this greeting they will commonly practice reciprocal social
grooming or play .
Allomothering, the sharing of maternal care by other
females of the group other than the infant's mother, has also been observed
in redtail monkey groups, although occasionally the infant is harmed in
a fight for possession of the youth.
Cercopithecus ascanius males, upon reaching sexual maturity,
disperse from the home range and displace other males in different groups
or join all-male wandering bands. After displacement of the tenured male,
it is common for the incumbent male to kill all existing offspring in the
group, thereby making lactating females come into estrous sooner and bear
his offspring
Main feeding time: Their main hours of activity
are in the early morning or late evening
Size: the males averaging 4.1 kg and a length
of approximately 46 cm. Redtail monkey females, in contrast, average 2.9
kg and about 38 cm in length
Gestation:
Number of young at birth: single infant.
Communication:
Age:
Diet: Redtail monkeys are primarily frugivorous,
but supplement their diet with leaves, insects, flowers, buds, and gum
Enemies:
Interesting facts: Redtail monkeys are also one
of the major carriers of yellow fever in Africa
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