Tana River Red Colobus

• Common Name: Tana River Red Colobus
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1879
• Monkey Size: 45 to 67 cm (17.72 to 26.38 in)
• Skin Color(s): Gray
• Habitat: Forest
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Native Countries: Kenya

The Tana River red colobus^[1] (Piliocolobus rufomitratus), also called the eastern red colobus, is a critically endangered primate species in the Cercopithecidae family.

• It is native to an area of ​​narrow gallery forest near the Tana River in southeastern Kenya. Currently, science knows 18 species of red colobus monkeys.
• All are somewhat similar in appearance. But, although their coloration is also quite similar and only trained primatologists can distinguish between the species.
• Like other Red Colobus monkeys, Tana River red colobus monkeys also have darker gray fur coats.
• On its face, hands, and feet, its fur gives way to dark gray skin. Tufts of gray fur frame their round faces.
• Their round eyes are particularly dark. The distinctive red for which they are named can be found as a splash of color on their crown.

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Tana River Mangabey

Species Name: Cercocebus galeritus

Tana River Mangabeys are medium-sized monkeys with long, light gray hair covering most of their bodies. Tana River Mangabeys are highly social animals, living in multi-female social groups averaging 27 individuals in size.

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• The Tana River red colobus monkeys are the only one of 18 species of red colobus that do not live in the Tropical Rainforest.
• Living in an arid climate means that the survival of the Tana River red colobus monkeys is directly linked to the health and well-being of the Tana River and indirectly to the entire Tana River watershed.
• Tana River red colobus monkeys spend all their time in the trees and only venture to the ground, only wanting to migrate from one part of the jungle to another. As such, they are skilled climbers and acrobatic jumpers.
• Young red colobus monkeys spend a significant portion of their time playing. They hunt, fight, and generally like to climb and jump over the canopy for no apparent reason.