Zanzibar red colobus

Zanzibar Red Colobus ( Piliocolobus kirkii )

The red colobus ( Piliocolobus kirkii ) is a primate of the group of colobus monkeys in the family Cercopithecidae ( Cercopithecidae ).

Description

The animals have a black or dark red coat on his back. Along the shoulders and arms the coat is black. The black, hairless face with red-brown eyes framed by a white crown of hair. The mouth and nose are pigmented pink. The belly of the Apes is white or reddish yellow to gray. Zanzibar red colobus reach a body length of 45 to 65 centimeters, which must be added a 58-77 centimeter long tail comes. The weight varies from 5.2 to 11.3 kg, the females are usually smaller than the males.

Distribution and habitat

The species is endemic to the archipelago of Zanzibar. Most animals live on the main island of Unguja, some also on Pemba. Their habitat is forests, beside her primary can also be found in secondary forests.

Lifestyle and diet

The red colobus is a diurnal and arboreal. He lives in larger groups of up to 50 animals. In a group of several males and about two to three times as many females live. The animals can breed all year round. In the first months the juveniles have a black back. They are suckled for up to 17 months.

The animals feed primarily on unripe fruits, leaves, flowers and seeds. Ripe fruits are avoided as these monkeys can digest any sugar. For digestion of toxic substances they eat coal, which they even get out of fireplaces.

Endangering

The red colobus is guided in the IUCN Red List as " critically endangered " ( endangered ). The reasons for this lie in the destruction of habitat and hunting. The total population amounts to 1000 to 1200 animals. The most important protection of the species is the Jozani - Chwaka Bay National Park.