The white-throated guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster), the red-bellied monkey and the red-bellied guenon
The white-throated guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster), also known as the red-bellied monkey and the red-bellied guenon, is a diurnal primate that lives on trees of rainforests or tropical areas of Nigeria and Benin.
Cercopithecus erythrogaster) is a species of catarrhine primate belonging to the family Cercopithecidae.
Appearance
The head has a white beard and white sideburns. Males have reddish-brown fur on the chest and belly (some males are grey). Females are distinguished by grey fur on the underside, arms and legs. Their body length is up to 45 cm and tail length up to 60 cm. Males weigh between 3.5 and 4.5 kg and females between 2 and 4 kg. They stay in trees in groups of 3-4 animals, but sometimes there are flocks of up to 30 animals. Females give birth to one young each, which is one of the factors reducing the population. Cercopithecus erythrogaster feeds mainly on fruit, but also on insects, leaves and plant shoots.
Cercopithecus erythrogaster on the Red List
Due to its small range, the species is rare and is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The main threat to its existence is caused by human activities, mainly the destruction of forests for timber and farmland, as well as poaching for its beautiful fur.
Subespecie
There are two subspecies of white-throated guenon:
- Red-bellied guenon, Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster — Benín, Nigeria, Togo;
- Nigerian white-throated guenon, Cercopithecus erythrogaster pococki — Sudoeste de Nigeria.
