Black-and-white
Colobus

Black-and-White Colobus

Range and Habitat:  Forests and wooded grasslands of central Africa

‍Diet:  Primarily leaves

‍Life Span:  Up to 20 years in the wild

‍Status in the Wild: Least Concern

Threats to Survival:  Although this species is listed as Least Concern, other species of colobus are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching for their beautiful coats.

Interesting Facts

  • This distinguished looking primate has a glossy back coat with a whitemantle, or cape, down its back.  Its faceis set off by a white beard.
  • The main diet of the colobus is leaves.  They have a multi-chambered stomach that allows them to digest the leaves and unripe fruit that other animals cannot eat.  They spend nearly all of their time in the trees, rarely going down to the ground.  They even derive enough moisture from the treetops that they don’t need to go to the ground for a drink.  
  • Black-and-white colobus are quite vocal with their most impressive vocalization being a roar.  In addition, they can snort, honk, scream and purr.
  • The name “colobus” is derived from the Greek word for “mutilated,” because unlike other monkeys, colobus monkeys do not have thumbs.
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