Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Piliocolobus
Habitat
Thollon's red colobus primarily inhabits lowland rainforests in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They prefer dense, tropical forest canopies with abundant vegetation for foraging and shelter. This species is rarely found in open areas, favoring elevations between 500 and 1000 meters.
Diet
Thollon's red colobus mainly eats leaves, fruits, and seeds from various trees in the forest canopy. They are folivorous, spending much of their day foraging to meet their dietary needs. Feeding activity peaks in the early morning and late afternoon.
Behavior
Thollon's red colobus lives in troops of 20-50 individuals, typically led by a dominant male, and exhibits strong social bonds through grooming and vocalizations. They are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in trees to avoid ground predators, and defend territories with alarm calls and displays. Males may engage in aggressive behaviors during mating season to protect the group.
Conservation Status
IUCN status is Endangered, with populations declining due to habitat loss from deforestation and hunting for the bushmeat trade. Major threats include human encroachment and fragmentation of rainforest habitats.