Cercocebus galeritus

Tana river crested mangabey, orTana river mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus)

Phylumchordata
Class — mammalia
Order — primates
Family — cercopithecidae

Genus – сercocebus

Appearance

The Tana river mangabey is a medium-sized primate with a long semi-prehensile tail, yellow-brown coat, and a center part on the crown of the head with long, dark fur. The species has white eyelids that contrast to its darker face like other Cercocebus species. This contrast in the eyelids is believed to be used as part of the species complex communication system.

Length – 51 см, mass – 7,1 kg.

Habitat

It is endemic to riverine forest patches along the lower Tana River in southeastern Kenya.

Behavior

The Tana river mangabey is diurnal and semi-terrestrial. It spends most of its time on the ground but is still considered arboreal due to its sleeping area. The species sleeps in trees which are approximately 27-37m in height which have a sparse canopy cover of 25–60%. The primate sleeps in the forks of the branches of these trees or near the main trunk. It is believed to sleep in trees to reduce the risk of predation and chooses this site according to its last feeding position in the area.

Group size ranges from 13–36 individuals, and sometimes combining to form aggregations of 50 to 60 individuals. These groups consist of multiple males and multiple females. The species have an average day-range length of 1.25 km. During the dry season when food is limited groups maintain discrete territories with minimal overlapping. To maintain these territories males give spatial vocalizations and territorial displays at fixed boundaries. The males within the group may also engage in active combat with outside group leaders invading the territory. In the wet season when food is abundant boundaries are broken down. Foraging ranges for different groups extend and there is considerable overlap between the different groups. During this time groups are more tolerant of one another and meet and intermingle.

Diet

The species is an omnivore, feeding on leaves, seeds, fruits, insects and reptile and bird eggs. It is an opportunistic feeder and is semi-terrestrial where it may rummage through the leaf litter for food.

Reproduction

The Tana river mangabey is a polygynous species with two or more males within each group depending on the size of the group.

The primate gives birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of approximately 170–180 days. During the first two months after birth, the infant is guarded by its mother and begins to develop a close bond. In the third month the infant begins socializing with other infants and adult group members but remains in close proximity to mom. The females within the group usually have lasting bonds with their mother while the males become more independent and spend more time away from the group or on the periphery. If a group loses one of its males, another male may be recruited from peripheral solitary males to maintain the structure of the group.

Lifespan – 19 years.

In captivity

Mangabeys are well tamed in captivity. Minimum enclosure size for one gibbon is 2*2*2 meters. The door should be large, with a sliding tray at the bottom. In the aviary, you need to install thick branches of fruit trees, a rope, and a ladder (you can buy it in a children's sports store).

Bowls should be thick and with high sides, preferably metal.

When monkeys are getting used to diapers the kipper should use the smallest children's ones, for particularly small monkeys are suitable "for premature babies".

Diet:

- fruits: apples, pears, bananas, kiwi, grapes, mango, papaya, oranges, tangerines (a little);

- vegetables: cucumbers, carrots, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cabbage, boiled potatoes;

- meat: chicken, turkey-cooked;

– eggs-quail, chicken-boiled;

- vitamin supplement: Vitamin D3, Vitamins B12 for animals.

Monkeys are very intelligent animals, and like all developed animals, they need to play often and a lot. The keeper may use toys, it is better to buy them in a store for children.

 

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