Western Red Colobus
Piliocolobus badius
Conservation Status
EndangeredMammalia · Primates · Cercopithecidae
About
The western red colobus, also known as the bay red colobus, rust red colobus or Upper Guinea red colobus, is a species of Old World monkey in West African forests from Senegal to Ghana. All other species of red colobuses have formerly been considered subspecies of P. badius. The monkey is a frequent prey of the common chimpanzee. In 1994, western red colobus monkeys infected many chimpanzees with Ebola virus after being hunted and consumed by the chimps.
Fun Fact
Western red colobus monkeys have a complex, chambered stomach similar to a cow's that ferments leaves — this gives them a perpetually pot-bellied appearance and makes them one of the few foregut-fermenting primates.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Tropical rainforests
Diet
Herbivore
Lifespan
15-20 years
Threats
- Habitat Fragmentation
- Small Population Size
- Illegal Wildlife Trade
- Genetic Bottleneck