The Udzungwa red colobus[1] (Piliocolobus gordonorum), also called the Iringa red colobus or the Uzungwa red colobus is endemic to Tanzania.
- It is endemic to the riparian and montane forests of the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania. The most distinctive feature of the Udzungwa red colobus is the red cap on its head.
- The brown tuft of hair contrasts sharply with the rest of the monkey’s body, often white on the belly (ventral side) and black on the back (dorsal side).
- Their faces are covered with mostly black fur and scattered pink spots on the snout.
- Not all colobus monkeys have real thumbs. Instead, there’s just a little knot where his thumb would be. The word “Colobus” comes from the Greek word “cut” or “mutilate” referring to the lack of a thumb.
- However, colobus monkeys compensate for this with their 4 hook-like fingers.
- This hand structure makes it easier for the colobus to quickly jump from branch to branch. Their long tails are non-prehensile and primarily used for balance when walking through branches.
