Lesser Spot-nosed Guenon

Ceropithecus petaurista

Status in the Wild: Studies have not been thorough enough to determine the size of populations of most guenon species and the status of most species is not certain.

Range: West coast of Africa, from Gambia to Ghana, east of the Sassandra River.

Habitat: Forest, especially secondary growth forests, swampy areas, thickets and fringing forests in the Guinea savanna.

Description/Size/Weight: The face of the spot-nosed guenon is dark slate blue to black with a white oval patch on the nose. There is a black frontal band from ear to ear. The whiskers are well developed and directed backward. The upper parts of the body are dark greenish brown with the underneath being white. The lower legs are gray. The tail is brownish on top at the base, darkening to black at the tip, with a white underside. The head to rump length is 14 to 18 inches. The tail is two feet. The weight is six to eight pounds.

Diet: Feed mainly on fruit with invertebrates (mostly insects) and leaves also being an important part of the diet.

Characteristics: All guenons are diurnal. Their troops number between 10 and 40 individuals. Only the females are permanent members of the groups as males emigrate at puberty, either staying solitary, joining another mixed sex group or forming an all male group. Troops of guenons tend to be territorial. Some studies seem to indicate that when conflicts with other groups occur, the females and young are more actively involved than the males, although males may give loud calls. They rarely defend themselves, but do make threats to intruders, including man. The main predator of the forest dwelling guenons is the crowned eagle.

Reproduction: The gestation period is between 150 and 213 days. The female gives birth to one young that is weaned at about 120 days. Sexual maturity is reached at about 48 months.

Lifespan: Individuals in captivity live about 20 years..