Dent’s Mona Monkey

• Common Name: Dent’s Mona monkey
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1907
• Monkey Size: 44.5 to 51.1 cm (17.52 to 20.12 in)
• Skin Color(s): Dark gray
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Native Countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Central African Republic

The Dent’s mona monkey^[1] is an Old-World monkey in the Cercopithecidae family.

• The expressive face of Dent’s mona monkey is characterized by golden eyes; a flat, long, dark nose; and a pink chin and mouth.
• Dark fur cloaks the cheekbones, and long yellowish fur cloaks the lower part of the face.
• Some yellowish strands grow out of the monkey’s chin. In addition, the bushy gray rim of the forehead (like a grandfather’s bushy eyebrows) turns into a reddish tuft that sits above each ear.
• The back of this nimble monkey is covered with dark gray fur with a reddish spot in the center.
• The front legs are dark gray to black, the hind legs are light reddish brown, and the undersides are white to pale yellow.
• The tail of the Dent’s mona monkey is dark gray at the base, fading to black as the fur extends to the tip.

In the wild, Leopards (Panthera pardus) predate Dent’s Mona Monkeys among other primates^[§].

• Dent mona monkeys have huge cheek pouches filled with gathered fruit when foraging, so they can enjoy a hearty fruit snack from a safe spot in the forest canopy.
• Callus-like patches on this species’ rumps, scientifically called ischial callosities, provide monkeys with comfort when perched on tree branches or while resting.
• Males have a blue scrotum, which scientists think may be important in attracting females.
• Group size varies from 1 to 12 individuals, with a single male or alpha male leading a group of multiple females.
• Dent mona monkeys are often found in the company of other primate species, most commonly with black-crested mangabeys, but also with colobus, bonobos, red-tailed monkeys, and other Vervet monkey species.