5 things you didn’t know about colobus monkeys
What is the colobus monkey? The name “colobus” is derived from the Greek word for “mutilated,” because unlike other monkeys, colobus monkeys do not have thumbs. Their beautiful black fur strongly contrasts with the long white mantle, whiskers, bushy tail, and beard around the face. The Eastern black-and-white is distinguishable by a U-shaped cape of white hair running from the shoulders to lower back, whereas the Angolan black-and-white has white hairs flaring out only at the shoulders. Facts about Colobus monkey : 1. Their babies are born completely white. Besides looking like adorable baby ghosts, this colour difference serves an important function for the youngsters. It’s thought that their white fur helps the wider group look after them and spot among the leaves. The white fur may even help to stimulate a behaviour called ‘alloparenting’ in the wider colobus monkey troop – a term that refers to when other females help to raise the infant as well as its biologic...
