Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Lophocebus
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits lowland rainforests and swamp forests in central Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of Angola and Cameroon. They prefer dense, tropical vegetation with tall trees for canopy living and are often found near rivers or flooded areas.
Diet
Black-crested Mangabeys mainly eat fruits, seeds, and leaves, supplemented by insects, nuts, and occasionally small vertebrates like lizards. They forage in the treetops during the day, using their dexterous hands to manipulate and extract food from hard shells.
Behavior
They live in social troops of 10-30 individuals led by a dominant male, exhibiting complex vocalizations for communication. Black-crested Mangabeys are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in trees, and they defend territories aggressively against other groups. They are known for playful interactions and grooming behaviors within the troop.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Black-crested Mangabey as Vulnerable due to habitat destruction from logging and agriculture, as well as hunting for bushmeat. Population trends are decreasing, with major threats including fragmentation of rainforest habitats.