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Mangabey Monkeys
Range and Diet:
Mangabeys are found all across tropical central Africa. Most are
found on or near the west coast, though a couple of species reach
into Kenya. The Tana River mangabey is found only in Kenya. They all
live in forests, though the type of forest varies. Agile mangabeys
are only found in tropical rain forests, but the rest are more
widespread. Their ranges generally seem to be large, though
dependent upon food availability. Mangbeys are omnivorous, though
fruit and seeds make up the bulk of their diets. The Tana River
mangabey seems more specialized than the others, relying on a single
tree species for 60% of its diet. A couple of species will raid
crops. Cercocebus species will travel and feed on the ground,
while the Lophocebus species favor staying in the trees.
Behavior and Social Structure:
All mangabeys are quadrupedal, diurnal and arboreal, but the
Cercocebus species are also terrestrial. The sooty mangabey is
mainly terrestrial. They all live in multimale-multifemale groups,
though numbers can vary according to local conditions. The
Lophocebus species have much smaller group sizes, and can
sometimes have only one male to a group, or can divide into
subgroups to forage. Most mangabey groups will split up at night,
though black mangabeys will all sleep in the same tree.
CLASSIFICATION & DISTRIBUTION
Superspecies*
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C. torquatus
(including torquatus and galeritus) -
semi-terrestrial with stiff gait, lighter pelage, medium long tail
-
C. albigena
(including albigena and aterrimus) - arboreal,
supple, dark pelage, long ruffed tail
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