Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Cercopithecus
Habitat
Diana monkeys primarily inhabit the rainforests of West Africa, including countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ivory Coast. They prefer primary and secondary forests with dense canopies, often staying in the upper levels of the trees. Their range is typically in lowland and montane forests up to about 1,500 meters elevation.
Diet
Diana monkeys mainly eat fruits, leaves, and insects, with a preference for ripe fruits from various tree species. They forage in groups during the day, often in the canopy, and supplement their diet with flowers and seeds. Feeding behavior includes careful selection of food items to avoid toxins.
Behavior
Diana monkeys live in social groups of 10-50 individuals, typically led by a dominant male, with females forming the core of the group. They are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in trees, and exhibit territorial behavior by vocalizing loudly to defend their range. Notable behaviors include alarm calls that warn the group of predators and complex social interactions like grooming.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Diana monkey is Vulnerable, with populations declining due to habitat destruction and hunting for the bushmeat trade. Major threats include deforestation from logging and agriculture, as well as fragmentation of their forest habitats.