Allen's swamp monkey
Latin Name
Allenopithecus nigroviridis
Class
Mammals
Order
Primates
Description
Allenopithecus nigroviridis
Class
Mammals
Order
Primates
Description
A strong, stocky primate, the Allen's swamp monkey is covered in gray/green fur. Toes and fingers are webbed. Males are much larger than females. Wiry young are extremely active, bouncing between branches while more sedate parents look on.
Range
Status
Habitat
Niche
Life History
Special Adaptations
The Congo Basin to western Zaire
Status
Near threatened. Like many African monkeys, these animals are killed for bushmeat, often by hunters operating from boats. Lincoln Park Zoo cooperatively manages Allen's swamp monkey populations with other institutions in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Habitat
Limited to swamp forests, the Allen's swamp monkey is diurnal (active during the day) and arboreal (tree-dwelling), although the species is semi-terrestrial.
Niche
They forage for food on the ground and browse in shallow water for fish and insects.
Life History
Allen's swamp monkeys live in groups of up to 40. They communicate with gestures and calls. Males emit a deep, throaty croak. Single births are most common, which are nursed by the dam. Young are weaned by three months and begin eating fruits, leaves, beetles and worms. Birds, snakes and other primates hunt swamp monkeys.
Special Adaptations
- Young swamp monkeys emit a chirpy sound, often to indicate alarm.
- Webbed fingers and toes enable Allen's swamp monkeys to swim well. They will dive into water to elude predators such as eagles, snakes and pygmy chimpanzees.
