Wolf's Monkey (Congo Gorilla Forest (session 2))

Wolf's Monkey

Cercopithecus wolfii

Location in Zoo ²

Congo Gorilla Forest Bronx Zoo

Habitat ²

These monkeys live high in the treetops of the Zaire Basin rain forests. This area is generally humid and warm. The basin also experiences much rainfall, and has many water sources and flora to support the lives of these animals.

Diet ²

Wolf's monkeys are mainly frugivores, meaning they survive on a diet mainly of fruit. Though they have to adaptation for eating much else, they do sometimes seek out baby leaves, insects, or seeds depending on their location. They may also eat nectar and flowers.

Adaptations (5) ²

Physical
Wolf's monkeys have developed cheek pouches, allowing them to safely run away with excess food if need be.
The coloration of these monkeys serve as a form of communication, identifying potential mates or individuals.

Behavioral
Wolf's monkeys have been observed stomping on branches, yawning, and baring teeth, all of which communicate a threat. They use this in order to protect their territory and warn off others.
Guenons often sneeze as a warning call to others in their group.

Physiological
Wolf's monkeys have a relatively long gestation period of around 160 days, and reproduce sexually, allowing them to have genetically diverse and mature offspring.

Conservation Status/Threats ²

According to the IUCN red list, crowned monkeys (which are similar to and are often used as a synonym for the wolf's monkey) are in the category of least concern as of 2008. These monkeys are threatened mainly by deforestation, and thus a loss of livable habitat, as a result of human settlement in the many countries in the Zaire Basin. The monkeys are also hunted extensively in certain areas in Africa to the point where their population appears to be declining. The Wolf's monkey is, unfortunately, more prone to hunting because off its specific needs concerning surroundings and nourishment. However, the animals do appear in many protected areas, which will hopefully bring back some of its numbers.

Taxonomy/Living Relatives ²

Scientific Name: Cercopithecus wolfii
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Cercopithecidae

Living relatives: Wolf's monkeys are related to other guenons, which refer to African medium-sized monkeys with specific characteristics. Besides this, there are others who share the same family, such as the macaques, rhesus monkey, and mandrills.