De Brazza’s monkeys are Old World monkeys, a term describing
monkeys from Africa and Asia. They are part of the guenon group of monkeys.
They have an orange band above the eyes and a white beard extending from their
nose. There is clear sexual dimorphism with the males considerably larger than
the females, at around 3kg more. Males also have bright blue scrotums.
Life History
De Brazza's monkeys reach maturity at 5-6 years of age.
After maturity, females stay with the group they were born into while males
disperse into new territory. Infants are born after a gestation period of 5-6
months, and they are dependent on their mothers for care for at least a year.
Range
This widespread species ranges from north-eastern Angola,
Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Rio Muni) and Gabon in the west of its range to
Uganda, Kenya and south-western Ethiopia in the east. It was formerly believed
that the Sanaga River formed the northern boundary in Cameroon, but Maisels et
al. (2007) extended the current known range for C. neglectus 100 km farther
north in Cameroon, about 140 km farther south in Gabon, and about 80 km farther
west in Congo than was previously known. The surveys were carried out in
Cameroon in the Mbam Djerem National Park, in Gabon in the Bateke Plateau
National Park, and the adjoining Bateke Plateau area in Congo. C. neglectus were
found on both sides of the Djerem River in Cameroon, along the Mpassa and its
tributaries in Gabon, along the Nambouli River in the Lefini Reserve in Congo,
and up to the right bank of the Ogooué River on the Congo side of the border
(Maisles et al. 2007). Until recently, the species was not known to range east
of the Great Rift valley in Kenya, but it has now been recorded in the remote
and isolated Mathews Range Forest Reserve of Samburu at an elevation of 2,200 m
(the highest elevation at which the species has yet been recorded; Mwenja
2007).
Habitat and Ecology
This species is associated with riverine forest habitats. It
is found close to rivers in lowland and submontane tropical moist forest, swamp
forest, semi-deciduous forest and Acacia dominated forest. They are mainly arboreal.
De Brazza’s Monkey is considerably more inconspicuous than most other guenons,
rarely using group calls, and generally avoiding living in polyspecific troops
(Gautier-Hion and Gautier 1978), and at least in Gabon, northern Congo, the
Bateke Plateau and central Cameroon, living in small family parties (Maisels et
al. 2007); however, it can be found in groups of as many as 35 individuals.
Feeding
Despite being basically a frugivorous, as its diet consists
of fruit in a 75%, it also feeds on leaves, tender sprouts, insects, eggs and
small vertebrates. Is in other species of Cercopithecidae, it has expandable
cheeks, where they can store food while foraging.
Diet
Considered omnivores and opportunists, De Brazza’s monkeys
can be found either foraging or hunting for a wide range of resources. Like
many monkeys, De Brazza’s can often be seen scouting for fruit but will also
commonly eat seeds, leaves, flowers, soil, mushrooms, insects and lizards. This
broadened diet allows them to thrive year-round by eating whatever is in season.
Status
De Brazza's monkeys are common throughout their range,
although they face potential threats from habitat loss and the illegal pet
trade. Lincoln Park Zoo participates in the Guenon Species Survival Plan®, a
shared management effort by zoos throughout the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity: Male: 6-8 years, Female: 5-6 years
Mating Season: Typically February to March
Birth Season: Typically births are timed for the offspring
to wean during times of greatest resource abundance.
Gestation: 5-6 months
No. of Young: Typically 1 but occasionally twins
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