Fauna
Mammal

White-throated Monkey

Cercopithecus erythrogaster

Also known as Red-bellied Guenon, Red-bellied Monkey, White-throated Guenon

White-throated monkeys travel through rainforest canopies in small social groups usually consisting of a single adult male, several females, and their young. Distinctive white throat fur contrasts sharply with a dark coat and reddish abdomen, making them visually striking among West African primates. Severe habitat fragmentation and bushmeat hunting have restricted remaining populations to isolated forest patches across southern Nigeria and Benin.

ArborealFrugivorousDiurnal
White-throated Monkey reference
Freed Armel / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyWild figs, Tree foliage, Insects
Predators
  • Crowned Eagle
  • Leopard
  • African Rock Python
ThreatsDeforestation, forest degradation, and bushmeat hunting
HabitatsTropical rainforests, swamp forests, and gallery forests
Life span20–25 years
Classification
  1. FamilyCercopithecidae
  2. SpeciesCercopithecus erythrogaster
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Capable of delivering a painful bite if cornered; observe quietly from a safe distance.
Why it is dangerous
Sharp canine teeth and strong jaws can inflict deep puncture wounds if an individual feels trapped or cornered.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Watch for open-mouth threat displays, low guttural grunts, or vigorous branch-shaking.
What to do
Never attempt to touch or feed wild monkeys; back away slowly if an individual acts assertively.
What to notice
Recognizable by the bright white throat patch and reddish belly in high canopy foliage.
Support conservation
Stay on established forest trails and avoid sharing precise geographic coordinates of wild sightings.
Responsible observation
  • Maintain distance: Keep well back from canopy trees to prevent alarming foraging troops.
  • Minimize noise: Quiet observation allows natural vocalizations and social displays to continue.
  • Avoid direct eye contact: Prolonged eye contact can be interpreted as an aggressive threat.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…