Parks Where Found

• Kakamega Forest National Reserve
• Kisumu Impala Sanctuary

Physical Characteristics

• The Eastern black-and-white is distinguishable by a U-shaped cape of white hair running from the shoulders to lower back
• The Angolan black-and-white has white hairs flaring out only at the shoulders.

Natural Environment

The colobus monkey inhabit coastal forests and those in inland high-country areas. Bamboo stands are also popular dwelling spots for the colobus.

Behaviour

It uses branches as trampolines, jumping up and down on them to get liftoff for leaps of up to 50 feet. They leap up and then drop downward, falling with outstretched arms and legs to grab the next branch. Their mantle hair and tails are believed to act as a parachute during these long leaps.

Colobus monkeys live in troops of about 5 to 10 animals—a dominant male, several females, and young. Each troop has its own territory which is well defined and defended from other troops. Adult troop members, especially males, make croaking roars that can be heard resonating throughout the forest.

Diet

• Colobus monkeys are strictly leaf-eaters and spend most of their time in treetops, preferring to eat the tender young leaves found there.
• Their complex stomachs enable them to digest mature or toxic foliage that other monkeys cannot.

Predators and Threats

At one time the colobus was hunted excessively for its beautiful fur, leading to its extermination in some areas. Its skin has been used to make dance costumes, hats and capes. Today, the greatest threat to its continued existence comes from loss of habitat as forests are cut down.

Facts for Fun

• The name colobus derives from a word meaning "mutilated one" because unlike other monkeys they do not have thumbs.
• The monkeys communicate with a songlike call, a warning call and a mating call. Local tradition says they are good weather forecasters because they become silent when bad weather is coming.