Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Piliocolobus
Habitat
This species is endemic to Zanzibar Island in Tanzania, primarily inhabiting coastal forests, mangrove swamps, and areas of secondary growth. They prefer dense, tropical vegetation for cover and feeding, often near water sources or agricultural edges.
Diet
Zanzibar red colobus mainly consume leaves, fruits, flowers, and seeds from trees such as mangroves and figs. They are folivorous specialists, spending much of their day foraging in the canopy to avoid ground predators. Feeding activity peaks in the morning and late afternoon as they are diurnal.
Behavior
They live in social troops of 20-50 individuals, typically led by a dominant male, and engage in grooming and vocal communication to maintain group cohesion. These monkeys are arboreal and diurnal, spending most of their time in trees, and exhibit territorial behaviors by defending feeding areas with alarm calls. They are known for leaping between branches with agility.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Zanzibar red colobus as Endangered, with a decreasing population trend due to habitat loss and hunting. Major threats include deforestation for agriculture and urban expansion on Zanzibar Island.