De Brazza’s Monkey

More Information

De Brazza’s monkeys are guenons, a type of Old World monkey known for their conspicuous facial markings. Males, at 15 pounds, weigh more than females, which are around 10 pounds. Males also have longer bodies and tails. De Brazza’s monkeys are grayish-brown with white markings resembling a beard around their nose and mouth, plus an orange crescent-shaped crown on their forehead. They have strong incisor teeth and large cheek pouches to store food.

These primates are territorial and live in groups of up to 10 individuals. They mainly spend their time in tree canopies and dense vegetation near rivers. Breeding takes place in February or March, whenever food is most plentiful. Births typically take place at night after a five- or six-month gestation, and infants are born with golden fur and with eyes open. They reach maturity at age 5 or 6, at which point males leave the family group.

Did You Know?

• De Brazza’s monkeys are capable swimmers that choose to live at sites near water sources.
• When they encounter predators, they hide and remain silent to avoid detection. This freeze-in-place behavior is unique within their genus.
• They are important seed dispersers in their environment, foraging each morning and evening and revisiting the same food sites within their small home range.