Golden-bellied mangabey explained

The golden-bellied mangabey (Cercocebus chrysogaster) is an Endangered Old World monkey found in swampy, humid forests south of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was previously considered a subspecies of the agile mangabey (C. agilis).

A study of wild populations found that they form large, complex social groups that in some ways resemble those of humans:[1]

[W]hile individuals form friendships, they also irritate each other by snatching food, accidentally stepping on tails, and insisting on trying to groom newborn infants (which annoys the mom). They make up by grooming and playing.

When faced with predators such as Gaboon vipers, groups will band together and fight collectively. Wild golden-bellied mangabeys have been seen consuming and sharing mammalian prey.[2] (Food sharing is rarely observed in most cercopithecine monkeys.) Golden-bellied mangabeys share a habitat with bonobos and a comparison study found that the monkeys travel greater distances within their home range to feed, significantly farther than other Cercocebus species. [3]

Little else has been published about the species and its behaviour has mostly been studied in captivity.

External links

Footage in the wild: J.M.Stritch: http://cornwallcameratrapping.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/only-know-footage-of-wild-golden.html

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kimbrough . Liz . July 25, 2024 . DRC’s golden-bellied mangabeys: A little-known but much-threatened monkey . July 26, 2024 . Mongabay.
  2. McLester . Edward . March 1, 2022 . Golden-bellied mangabeys (Cercocebus chrysogaster) consume and share mammalian prey at LuiKotale, Democratic Republic of the Congo . Journal of Tropical Ecology . 38 . 5 . Cambridge University Press.
  3. McLester . Edward . March 15, 2023 . Golden-bellied mangabeys (Cercocebus chrysogaster) exhibit a larger home range and longer travel distances than those of bonobos (Pan paniscus) at LuiKotale, Democratic Republic of the Congo . American Journal of Primatology . Wiley Online Library.