Mammal · GBIF taxon 5963045
Mantled Guereza
Colobus guerezaAlso known as Guereza, Eastern Black-and-White Colobus, Abyssinian Black-and-White Colobus
Mantled guerezas are striking arboreal primates known for their long flowing white mantles, framed white faces, and bushy tail tufts. They live in small, tightly knit social groups led by a dominant male and spend their days foraging high in the canopy using multi-chambered stomachs to digest fibrous leaves. At dawn, males make deep, resonant roaring calls that echo across the forest to advertise territory boundaries to neighboring troops.
ArborealHerbivoreDiurnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tree leaves
- Wild fruits
- Bark and shoots
Predators
- Chimpanzee
- Leopard
- Crowned Eagle
ThreatsDeforestation, forest fragmentation, and hunting for bushmeat and skins
HabitatsLowland and montane tropical rainforests, gallery forests, and woodland clearings
Life span15–20 years in the wild; up to 30 years in captivity
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPrimates
- FamilyCercopithecidae
- GenusColobus
- SpeciesColobus guereza
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of giving a sharp defensive bite if cornered; observe quietly from a distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with large canine teeth and strong jaws that can inflict painful bites if cornered or handled.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognizable by its bold black body, bright white mantle fringe along the sides, and fluffy white tail tip.
- What to do
- Maintain a respectful ground distance and use binoculars; never attempt to feed or capture wild monkeys.
Responsible observation
- Listen for dawn calls: Dominant males emit resonant roaring sounds early in the morning to announce territory.
- Look high in the canopy: Groups spend most of their time feeding on young foliage in upper tree layers.
- Observe quietly: Keep a respectful distance from sleeping trees to avoid disturbing troop social activities.
Distant Cousin This photo was taken by Anton Zelenov. Please credit this with : Photo : Anton Zelenov in the immediate vicinity of the image. If you use one of my photos, please email me (account needed) or leave me a short message on my discussion page. It would be greatly appreciated. Do not copy this image illegally by ignoring the terms of the license below, as it is not in the public domain. If you would like special permission to use, license, or purchase the image please contact me to negotiate terms. / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator Giles Laurent / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Carrie Seltzer, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Species set Pro
Emerald Kingdom
Mantled Guereza is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
Unlock to track progress
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.