Black Crested Mangabey

Living in the tropical forests of Central Africa, the Black Crested Mangabey is an agile monkey with long limbs and a long tail: we recognise it easily by its crest of long hairs on the top of its head and the bushy “sideburns” that adorn its cheeks. Active in daytime, living in the trees, this monkey feeds mainly on plants, fruits, flowers, leaves, but also small animal prey and plant juices.

Black Crested Mangabeys form matriarchal structured groups of 10 to 20 individuals, led by a dominant female. Once adult, the young males born in the group leave it and join others to ensure genetically diverse reproduction.

As usual in primates, the Black Crested Mangabeys have a variety of vocal expressions and attitudes with specific meanings: alarm calls, aggressive or seductive postures, aggressive sneers, submissive, fearful attitude, etc...

When the female is in heat, the anal-genital area swells and turns pink to signify that she is receptive: she gives birth to a single baby she takes care of, in the group, to protect and educate it.