Kipunji
Rungwecebus kipunji
Key identification features
New species of monkey first described in 2005 (Jones et al., 2005) and recently placed in a separate genus (Davenport et al. 2006). It has grey to brown fur with long hairs and a off-white belly. The tail is longer then the body and is usually curled up, the last half of the tail has an off-white colour. The face and eyelids are black and it has long cheek whiskers and a crown with a broad erect crest of hair. The adults call in a distinctive loud low pitched “honk-bark”. HB Estimated at 85-90 cm. Wt Estimated at 10-16 kg. (Davenport et al. 2006).
Habitat and social behaviour
From pristine sub-montane forest to degraded montane and upper montane forest. Found only at high altitudes 1300-2450 m. Usually arboreal (tree dwelling) animal that lives in social groups of 30-36 monkeys with several male and females in one group.
Similar species
The vervet monkey is much smaller and has white fur around its black face. The Sanje mangabey has light orange under parts.
Photo gallery