Black-and-white Colobus Monkey

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Black-and-white colobus monkeys have a glossy black coat and a white-framed face. Males can weigh 30 pounds, but females are substantially smaller. Colobus monkeys have unique stomachs; their complex gut system allows them to digest large quantities of leafy plant material. They live in troops of up to 15 individuals. Infants are white at birth but begin to change color after about six weeks.

Did You Know?

While displaying, males “roar” and wave their cape—the long hair on their shoulders.

The black-and-white colobus monkeys at Lincoln Park Zoo eat a lot of leafy greens, such as lettuce, but Animal Care staff also provide them with a variety of browse, or tree leaves, throughout the day.

Colobus monkeys are very arboreal, meaning they prefer living in tree canopies. At Lincoln Park Zoo, Animal Care specialists encourage this behavior by leaving sleeping hammocks in their vertical spaces and hanging food from the ceiling.