Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Lophocebus
Habitat
Grey-cheeked mangabeys primarily inhabit lowland and montane rainforests in Central Africa, including countries like Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They prefer dense, tropical forests with tall trees for arboreal living and are often found in areas with abundant fruiting trees. These habitats provide cover and food resources, though they can adapt to secondary forests.
Diet
Grey-cheeked mangabeys are omnivorous, feeding mainly on fruits, seeds, leaves, and flowers, with insects and occasionally small vertebrates like lizards supplementing their diet. They use their cheek pouches to carry food while foraging and typically feed during the day in the upper canopy. Foraging behavior includes careful selection of ripe fruits to maximize nutrition.
Behavior
Grey-cheeked mangabeys live in multi-male, multi-female groups of 10-30 individuals with a defined dominance hierarchy led by adult males. They are diurnal and highly arboreal, spending most of their time in trees and communicating through loud vocalizations to maintain group cohesion and warn of predators. They exhibit territorial behavior by defending their home ranges with aggressive displays and calls, and they are known for playful interactions among juveniles.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the grey-cheeked mangabey as Vulnerable, with populations declining due to habitat loss from deforestation and hunting for the bushmeat trade. Major threats include fragmentation of rainforest habitats and human encroachment.