Old world monkey
Old World monkeys are a diverse group of primates that belong to the family Cercopithecidae, distinguished by their lack of prehensile tails. Instead, they possess hard sitting pads on their rumps, which provide comfort while sitting. This family includes various species such as guenons, macaques, baboons, mandrills, and colobus monkeys, with a range of sizes from the large mandrill to the smaller Gabon talapoin. Typically found in habitats across Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, they have adapted to living in rainforests, mountains, and plains. Their diet primarily consists of fruits, leaves, and plants, though they may also consume small animals and insects. Reproduction varies among species, with gestation lasting between 4.5 to 7 months, often resulting in single births. These monkeys have lifespans ranging from 20 to 31 years and face predation from a variety of natural threats, including large cats and humans. Overall, Old World monkeys exhibit a fascinating blend of adaptability and diversity, reflecting rich ecological roles in their environments.
Old world monkey
Old World monkeys are different from other families of monkeys because they do not have prehensile tails. A prehensile tail is a tail used to hold onto a limb or branch for balance or to swing. Old World monkeys have hard, sitting pads on the lower part of their rumps. These pads help them sit comfortably.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primate
Family: Cercopithecidae
Genus: Various (see below)
Species: Various (see below)
The family Cercopithecidae is a large grouping of Old World monkeys including the guenons, macaques, baboons, mandrills, mangabeys, colobus monkeys, and leaf monkeys. Their hands differ in appearance and function from their feet and are fur-covered with tan to gray coats. Some have other colorful markings. Old World monkeys range in size from the large male mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) to the Gabon talapoin (Miopithecus ogouensis). The male mandrill has a head and body length of a little over two feet (60 centimeters), a 2 1/2 inch (6 centimeters) tail, and weighs up to 110 pounds (50 kilograms). The Gabon talapoin has a head and body length of 9 to 14 inches (23 to 36 centimeters), a 12 to 18-inch (31 to 45-centimeter) tail, and weighs between 1 1/2 and 3 pounds (3/4 to 1 1/2 kilograms).
Old World monkeys live in the rainforests, mountains, and plains of Africa, India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. They eat fruits, blossoms, buds, stems of plants, leaves, nuts, roots, onions, and tubers. Some also eat insects, small animals, birds' eggs, and young birds. Old World monkeys usually hold their food in their hands when they eat.
The mating season for Old World monkeys is different for each species. Some species mate year-round, while others have specific mating seasons. Usually, births occur when the most food is available. The gestation period (duration of pregnancy) is between 4 1/2 and 7 months depending on the species. The female gives birth to one young. Sometimes twins are born in some species, but not very often.
Old World monkeys are preyed upon by birds of prey, snakes, baboons, leopards, other large, wild cats, crocodiles, and humans, depending on the species.
Old World monkeys usually live between 20 and 31 years.
Species include:
Agile mangabey Cercocebus agilis
Angola colobus Colobus angolensis
Angolan talapoin Miopithecus talapoin
Allen's swamp monkey Allenopithecus nigroviridis
Bale Mountains vervet Chlorocebus djamdjamensis
Blue or diademed monkey Cercopithecus mitis
Blue Nile patas monkey Erythrocebus poliophaeus
Black crested mangabey Lophocebus aterrimus
Black-crested Sumatran langur Presbytis melalophos
Chacma baboon Papio ursinus
Gelada Theropithecus gelada
Kipunji Rungwecebus kipunji
L'Hoest's monkey Allochrocebus lhoesti
Toque macaque Macaca sinica
Proboscis or long-nosed monkey Nasalis larvatus
Bibliography
Blackman, Stuart. "What Are Old World Monkeys?" Discover Wildlife, 4 Apr. 2024, www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/what-are-old-world-monkeys. Accessed 1 May 2024.
Myers, Phil. "Cercopithecidae." Animal Diversity Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cercopithecidae. Accessed 1 May 2024.