Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Cercopithecus
Habitat
Lowe's mona monkeys primarily inhabit lowland and montane rainforests in West Africa, including countries like Nigeria and Cameroon. They prefer dense forest canopies with plenty of trees for movement, often near rivers or streams for water sources.
Diet
Their diet includes fruits, leaves, flowers, and insects, which they forage mainly in the treetops. They are opportunistic feeders and may consume small vertebrates like lizards or birds' eggs. Feeding activity peaks in the early morning and late afternoon.
Behavior
Lowe's mona monkeys live in social groups of 10-30 individuals led by a dominant male, communicating with a variety of vocalizations and facial expressions. They are diurnal and highly arboreal, spending most of their time in trees to avoid ground predators. They exhibit territorial behavior, defending their range with aggressive displays and chases.
Conservation Status
IUCN status: Vulnerable, with populations declining due to habitat loss from deforestation and hunting for the bushmeat trade.