Central African red colobus
Piliocolobus oustaleti
Key identification features
Red colobus monkeys have big bodies with a big pot-belly and relatively small heads. Their long backs slope forwards. Their limbs are long and they have moderately long tails without tufts. All colobus monkeys lack a thumb. The colour pattern of the central African red colobus can vary individually. It has a red cap on the head and the hands and feet are usually black. The montane populations have a thick coat with especially long fur on the shoulders. Females: HB 45-62 cm, Wt 7-9kg. Males HB 45-70 cm. Wt 9-13 kg.
Habitat and social behaviour
The central African red colobus occurs in a wide range of forest types; riverine, swamp, lowland montane and mixed forest. It is wholly arboreal (tree dwelling). They live in large troops with up to 100 monkeys. They feed mainly in the morning and afternoon and they have a long midday rest to allow for digestion.
Similar species
No other species of red colobus are found in the same range. The Red tailed monkey is smaller and has a distinctive white nose.
Distribution Map
Historical Distribution Map
References for historical distribution map
Photo gallery
See also
Kirk's red colobus (Zanzibar red colobus) · Iringa red colobus (Udzungwa red colobus) · Red tailed monkey