Crested Mona Monkey

• Common Name: Crested Mona Monkey
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1833
• Monkey Size: 32 to 53 cm (12.5 to 21 in)
• Skin Color(s): Brown
• Habitat: Forest, rainforest
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Native Countries: Nigeria, Cameroon, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo

The crested mona monkey^[1], also called the golden-bellied monkey, golden-bellied guenon, or crowned guenon, is a species of African primate in the Cercopithecidae family in west-central Africa.

• Although sexually dimorphic in size, males and females display similar coloration and patterning.
• Its brown fur is mottled with gray, and the undersides of its arms, legs, and base of the tail are all black.
• The belly rump and inside of the legs are golden yellow. Their faces are mostly gray or dark blue, with a pink snout covered in white hair.
• The hair surrounding the face is yellow, with broad black streaks running from the side of the eyes to the temples and down the middle of the forehead.
• This creates a small ridge that gives the crowned monkeys their alternate common name.

The Crested Mona Monkey nourishes on^[¶]:

• African Nutmeg (Pycnanthus angolensis).
• Butter Tree (Pentadesma butyracea).
• Boleko Nut (Ongokea gore).
• African Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis).
• African Teak (Milicia excelsa).
• Trichilia (Trichilia)
• Tallow Tree (Allanblackia floribunda).
• Umbrella-Tree (Maesopsis)
• Emien (Alstonia boonei)
• Raffia Palm (Raphia)
• Boarwood (Symphonia globulifera)
• Tropical Almond (Terminalia)
• Moambé Jaune (Annickia chlorantha).
• Treebind (Cissus)
• Velvet Tamarind (Dialium guineense).
• Aframomum (Aframomum)
• Inoi Nut (Poga oleosa).
• African Mammee-Apple (Mammea africana).
• Djave (Baillonella toxisperma)
• Fig (Ficus)
• Red-Fruited Stinkwood (Celtis mildbraedii).
• Olon Tendre (Zanthoxylum heitzii).
• Rattan Palm (Eremospatha macrocarpa).
• Umbrella Tree (Musanga cecropioides).
• Callingcard Vine (Entada)
• Chinese Banyan (Ficus thonningii).
• Leaf Flower (Phyllanthus)
• Mahogany (Afzelia)

• Like many species of Cercopithecus, the crested mona monkey has large cheek pouches that it fills with seeds and fruit while foraging for food.
• Males have a distinctive blue scrotum, which scientists believe is vital for attracting mates.
• While resting, monkeys often intertwine their tails and engage in a ritualized head display.
• Both females and males have vocal sacs that can be inflated to produce loud calls over a distance.
• Female crowned monkeys do not display signs of estrus swelling, which usually indicates the females are ready to mate.