BLACK AND WHITE COLOBUS MONKEYS

Imagine a primate swinging effortlessly through the lush canopies of Africa’s ancient rainforests, its long bushy tail acting like a parachute as it leaps up to 50 feet between branches. This is the daily life of black and white colobus monkeys, one of the continent’s most striking and acrobatic primates, seen during most primate tours in Africa/African safaris.

These Old-World monkeys, belonging to the genus Colobus, captivate wildlife enthusiasts and tourists alike with their glossy black fur contrasted against flowing white mantles, whiskers, and tails.

Native to equatorial Africa, they thrive in dense forests where they play a vital role in seed dispersal and ecosystem health.

Whether you’re planning a safari in Uganda‘s national parks or exploring conservation stories, black & white colobuses offer a window into the wonders of African mammals.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into their world, from physical traits to social behaviors, habitats, and how you can spot them on your next adventure.

Quick Colobus Monkey Facts 

• Black & white colobus monkeys are Old World monkeys native to Africa, closely related to red colobus monkeys but distinct in their striking black-and-white coloration.
• There are five species of black-and-white colobus monkeys, including the mantled guereza (Colobus guereza) and Angolan type (Colobus angolensis), with at least eight subspecies.
• They live in territorial groups of 5 to 10 animals, typically led by one dominant male, several females, and their young.
• Strictly leaf eaters, these monkeys have complex stomachs that allow them to digest mature or toxic foliage unavailable to other primates.
• Infants are born completely white with pink faces, transitioning to adult black & white colobus patterns after three to four months.
• Black & white colobus monkeys use impressive leaps of up to 50 feet, aided by reduced thumbs for better branch grasping and long tails for balance.
• They communicate with loud, throaty roars to mark territorial boundaries and alert other groups.
• Preyed upon by forest predators like leopards, chimpanzees, and large eagles, they rarely descend to the ground.
• No distinct breeding season exists, but most mating occurs during the rainy season; females give birth to a single offspring every 20 months.
• Conservation status for the guereza colobus monkey is Least Concern, though habitat destruction threatens many populations across central Africa.
• These monkeys contribute to rainforest habitat health through seed dispersal via their sloppy eating habits.
• Lifespan reaches up to 20-22 years in the wild, with high infant care involving allomothering by adult troop members.

What is a Colobus Monkey? 

The term “colobus monkey” derives from the Greek word kolobós, meaning “docked” or “maimed,” referring to their unique stump-like thumbs—or often complete absence of thumbs—that set them apart from other monkeys.

This adaptation suits their arboreal lifestyle perfectly, allowing a firmer grip on branches without the interference of a protruding digit.

Mantled Guerezas, often simply called colobus monkeys in casual conversation, are herbivorous primates renowned for their elegant appearance and graceful movements.

Unlike many other African monkeys that forage on the ground, colobus monkeys are among the most tree-dwelling species. They spend nearly all their time in the treetops, eating leaves, socializing, and resting.

White colobus monkeys, a common reference used to mean their snowy mantles, are not a separate species but highlight the prominent white fur that frames their black bodies.

These primates occupy niches inaccessible to other primate competitors by specializing in leaf-eating, thanks to specialized digestion.

For tourism purposes, spotting a troop of black & white colobus in montane and gallery forests is a highlight, symbolizing the untouched beauty of equatorial Africa’s woodlands.

Types of Colobus Monkeys 

The genus Colobus encompasses five main species of black & white colobus monkeys, each adapted to specific regions:

• Mantled Guereza (Colobus guereza): Also known as the eastern black & white colobus or guereza colobus monkey, this is the most widespread, with a U-shaped white mantle.
• Angolan Colobus (Colobus angolensis): Features white hairs flaring at the shoulders; includes subspecies like the Tanzanian black & white colobus.
• King Colobus (Colobus polykomos): Western Africa’s version, with a more robust build.
• Black Colobus (Colobus satanas): Entirely black, but sometimes grouped under black & white colobus discussions; includes the Bioko black colobus.
• Ursine Colobus (Colobus vellerosus): Critically endangered, with white thighs.

Related but distinct are two subspecies: the red colobus monkeys (Piliocolobus genus) and the olive colobus. For tourists, the eastern black and white varieties are most commonly encountered in East African safaris.

Taxonomy of the Black & White Colobus Monkey 

Mantled Guerezas fall under the family Cercopithecidae. The scientific name for the prominent mantled colobus is Colobus guereza, with subspecies like C. g. caudatus (Mt. Kilimanjaro guereza). The Angolan type is Colobus angolensis, with variants such as C. a. palliatus. Taxonomy recognizes five species in total, differentiating them from all-black or red variants. This classification helps in understanding their evolution as strictly leaf eaters among Old World monkeys.

Physical Characteristics of the Mantled Guerezas

Mantled Guerezas boast a dramatic coat: jet-black fur covering most of the body, offset by a flowing white mantle that forms a cape from shoulders to lower back, white whiskers, and a bushy tail often longer than the body (tail length up to 83 cm).

Adults measure 45-72 cm in head-body length, weighing 4-14 kg. Their pink face is framed by white fur surrounds, and they lack thumbs—hence the “mutilated” etymology. This build supports their life in closed forests, wooded grasslands, and secondary forests.

Physical Characteristics of a Dominant Male Mantled Guereza 

The dominant male is the largest in the troop, often 13–14 kg, with pronounced white fur and a robust frame. Males display thicker mantles and louder vocalizations, using their size to defend well-defined territory from other groups.

Physical Characteristics of an Adult Female Mantled Guereza 

Females are slightly smaller (7-9 kg), with similar black and white colobus patterning but less bulky builds. Several females form the core of the troop, engaging in allomothering practices.

Physical Characteristics of a Baby Mantled Guereza 

Newborns enter the world as fluffy white balls with pink faces—no black fur yet. This camouflage changes over three to four months as black patches emerge. Infants cling to the mother’s belly, cared for not just by the infant’s biological mother but through communal efforts.

Black and White Colobus Monkey Habitat | Where Do Mantled Guerezas Live? 

Black & white colobus monkeys inhabit high-density forests across equatorial Africa, from Nigeria to Tanzania, where they forage on leaves, flowers, and fruit. Preferred spots include montane and gallery forests, riverine woods, and even bamboo stands. They thrive in primary, secondary, and logged forests but avoid open areas.

Additionally, colobus monkeys live in central Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia. In Uganda, they’re spotted in riparian woodlands and national parks like Rwenzori NP.

Black and White Colobus Monkey Diet | What Does a Colobus Monkey Eat? 

As strict leaf eaters, colobus primates focus on young, tender leaves, but their complex stomachs enable the digestion of mature or toxic foliage.

Bacteria in their sacculated stomachs ferment cellulose, turning low-nutrition sources into energy. They occasionally nibble unripe fruit, flowers, bark, or lichen during scarcity.

Sloppy eating habits aid seed scattering, dropping partially eaten bits that sprout elsewhere in the jungles. The diet colobus monkeys have rarely includes insects or ground forage—they’re treetop specialists.

Ecology and Behavior of the Mantled Guerezas 

These monkeys occupy ecological niches by eating foliage that other primates ignore, reducing competition for food. They also greatly contribute to forest regeneration via seed distribution.

Behaviorally, they spend 150 minutes daily feeding, resting in treetops. Males leave birth groups at maturity, forming bachelor units. Troops defend territories with roars, but intra-group aggression is low.

Social Structure and Troop Dynamics of the Mantled Guerezas 

Troops of 5-15 consist of one male, multiple females, and offspring. Some form multi-male groups or supergroups of over 500 in ideal habitats. Resident-egalitarian or harmonious community living among females means low rivalry. Juveniles rank below adults. Allomothering strengthens bonds since other monkeys handle infants frequently.

Black & White Colobus Monkey Sounds and Communication Methods | How Do Mantled Guerezas Communicate? 

They communicate through loud, throaty calls—croaking roars from especially males—that echo through forests to mark territories. Females signal mating readiness with tongue smacking. Greeting rituals involve mounting or embracing upon reunions. Although they do not use complex language, their vocalizations serve as alerts to potential predators and other troops for territorial boundaries.

Locomotion of the Mantled Guerezas | How Do Black & White Primates Move? 

Mantled Guerezas are acrobatic leapers, bounding 50 feet using branches as trampolines. Reduced thumbs aid gripping of the branches; long tails and a mantle of white fur provide balance and parachute-like drag. Rarely ground-bound or seen down on the ground, they descend only in sparse trees.

Social Relationships and Interactions among Mantled Guereza Species 

Social interactions like allomothering, play-wrestling among the young, and grooming among these simians foster cohesion. Males patrol boundaries while the females maintain egalitarian ties. Infanticide occurs during male takeovers, but mating fights are rare.

Sleeping and Nesting Habits of Mantled Guerezas | Where and How Do Mantled Guerezas Sleep? 

They sleep in mid-to-upper tree sections near food sources, switching spots to avoid parasites. Groups huddle tightly on clear nights for warmth and predator watch. They don’t build any nests—just branch perches in Antiaris trees often.

Gestation and Reproduction Cycles of Black & White Colobus Monkeys | How Do Colobuses Produce Young Ones? 

There is no specific breeding season for the mantled guerezas, although mating tends to peak during the rainy season. Gestation lasts 4-6 months; one infant every 20 months.

Tongue-smacking from the females signals readiness for mating.

There is ‘allo’ mothering amongst these primates, which means members of the troop other than the infant’s biological mother care for the young ones. However, despite receiving high care, the infant mortality rate remains elevated.

Lifespan of Mantled Guereza 

In the wild, they live 20-22 years, influenced by predation and habitat quality. Captivity extends this slightly by 1 or 2 years for many species.

Intelligence of the Black and White Colobuses 

Colobus shows problem-solving in foraging for tough leaves and social navigation. ‘Allo’ mothering and territorial strategies indicate social intelligence, though they’re not tool users like some primates, like chimps and gorillas.

Serious Threats Facing the Survival of The Colobus Guereza 

Habitat loss/destruction from logging, agriculture, and road construction tops the biggest threats for mantled guerezas across equatorial Africa today. Bushmeat trade and fur hunting persist, despite bans. While forest predators eat these primates, human activities exacerbate their vulnerability.

Ongoing Colobus Guereza Conservation Status 

Organizations like the African Wildlife Foundation use GIS to map protected areas and train local communities in sustainable farming so that they do not destroy the habitats for these animals.

Anti-poaching patrols, reforestation, and eco-tourism fund protection. Guereza colobus monkey is Least Concern, but others like the ursine are Critical.

Popular Destinations in Uganda and Africa at Large, Where Black and White Colobus Monkeys Are Found 

• Uganda: Entebbe Botanical Gardens for casual sightings; Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori, and Bwindi for troops in gallery forests.
• Kenya: Coastal and inland high-country forests; Aberdare National Park.
• Tanzania: Gombe, Mahale Mountains; Mt. Kilimanjaro slopes.
• Other: Democratic Republic of Congo’s rainforests; Cameroon and Gabon

Eco-safaris emphasize ethical viewing to support local communities.

Black and White Colobus Monkeys FAQs 

1. Are Colobus Monkeys Dangerous? 

No, they’re peaceful leaf-feeders avoiding humans and ground threats.

2. What Are the Black and White Monkeys Called? 

They are specifically called mantled guerezas or Angolans.

3. What Do Black and White Colobus Monkeys Eat? 

Primarily leaves, including toxic foliage, plus some fruit and flowers.

4. Are Black and White Colobus Monkeys Extinct? 

No, especially the guereza (Least Concern), though some subspecies face risks.

5. Where Do Black and White Colobus Monkeys Live? 

In equatorial Africa’s dense forests, from west to east, is where these primates reside.

Conclusion to Black & White Colobus Monkeys

Colobus Black and white monkeys embody the magic of Africa’s rainforests—graceful, communal, and resilient amid challenges. From their complex bellies breaking down tough leaves to allomothering that nurtures the next generation, these primates highlight nature’s ingenuity.

As habitat loss looms, supporting conservation through responsible tourism ensures future generations can witness their 50-foot leaps and roaring calls.

Plan your safari today; spotting a white-coated infant or the male in Uganda’s montane forests might just be the highlight of your African adventure. By choosing eco-friendly operators like Wild Gorilla Safaris, Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd, Safari Uganda Safaris, Gorilla Safaris and Tours, A Uganda Safari, Africa Safaris Tours, Uganda Birding Safaris, Gorilla Trekking Uganda, Kampala City Tour, Self-Drive Car Hire Rentals Uganda, Car Hire Rentals Uganda Kampala, you contribute to protecting these iconic African mammals for years to come.