#colobus monkeys

[antiqueanimals]

Brehm's Tierleben. Written by Alfred Brehm. Illustration by Wilhelm Kuhnert. 1922 edition.

Internet Archive

[is-the-primate-vid-cute]

do you have any colobus monkey fun facts? whenever i see them at the zoo they are very playful and rambunctious, they seem like they would get into shenanigans

These lovable monkeys are truly excellent from their expressive faces to their long and elegant fur coats. Here are some neat things about them:

1. Like proboscis monkeys, colobus monkeys have four chambered stomachs making them champions of digestion. Their stomachs process food, including leaves and unripe fruit that other species ignore, to extract the maximum nutrition.

2. Speaking of food, these guys are known for eating dirt and minerals such as charcoal, and they have even been seen eating concrete! Geophagy is a strategy employed to aid in digestion and pick up nutritious minerals.

3. They live in polygynous family groups of up to 15 members, and are content to share living space with other species of monkeys. It's thought that their welcoming attitude towards other species of monkeys is a strength in numbers approach.

4. Their tails are longer than the rest of their bodies and are not prehensile, but are more like cats tails in function, helping them balance. This is important because they are almost always high up in the trees, only descending to the ground when tree routes are unavailable.

5. And of course, no thumbs! This is another adaptation for life high in the trees, as branch swinging is easier with a hand that can form a uniform hook shape without a thumb in the way. As such, they have a little nub with a nail instead of a full digit.

[diaryofasugarfiend]

Why does every picture of a black and white colobus look like they were just told their whole family is dead?

[bignosebaby]

Black and white colobus monkeys at the Calgary Zoo. The group is made up of four individuals, two male and two female.

[sitting-on-me-bum]

Colobus monkeys eat the flowers of a flamboyant tree, also known as Royal Poinciana, in Diani Beach, Kenya

Photograph: Baz Ratner/Reuters

[bignosebaby]

Thumbelina the colobus monkey enjoying her hammock

[antiqueanimals]

Léopold Henderyckx (1888-1960)

[antiqueanimals]

The Children's Animal World Encyclopedia in Colour. 1967. Illustration by Bob Kuhn.