All information about the black crested mangabey

The black crested mangabey

The black crested mangabey (Lophocebus aterrimus) belongs to the family of Old World monkeys (Cercopithecidae). This family consists of two subfamilies including the vervet family. This family includes the crested mangabey. The genus of the black crested mangabey, can be divided into six species:

• Mangabeys (Lophocebus)

  • Crested mangabey (Lophocebus albigena)

  • Crested mangabey (Lophocebus aterrimus)

  • Opdenbosch's mangabey (Lophocebus opdenboschi)

  • Uganda mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae)

  • Johnston mangabey (Lophocebus johnstoni)

  • Osman Hill managebey (Lophocebus osmani)

Safaripark Beekse Bergen is home to the crested mangabey. They are together in the enclosure with the Western lowland gorillas.

What does a black crested mangabey look like?

The black crested mangabey can of course be recognized by its beautiful crest on top of its head. They are about forty to seventy centimeters long. It has a black coat color with gray or black cheeks. Its eyes are red-orange in color and it has a long tail. This can be as long as eighty to 85 centimeters. It allows them to keep their balance while running and jumping through the trees. Also, crested mangabey's have bare buttocks! The red color of the buttocks has a function. The subordinate animals show their red buttocks to an animal higher in rank. Thus, they show respect to the one higher in rank.

How much does a black crested mangabey weigh?

Males weigh more than females. For example, males weigh between seven and nine pounds and females between five and seven pounds.

What is the habitat of a black crested mangabey?

The crested mangabey is found in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. They live mainly in subtropical and tropical rain forests. Here they are found high up in the trees. In fact, crested mangabey hardly ever come to the ground. They look for their food in as many as 32 different tree species!

Does a black crested mangabey live in a group?

Crested mangabey's live in groups of about 10 to 25 animals together. In these, both males and females live. They live high in the trees and very occasionally come to the ground to drink or forage for food. Crested mangabey are true tree dwellers and can climb well. They can also jump as far as five meters! Crested mangabey's have a very friendly greeting to other conspecifics. They put one arm on the other's back and sniff each other.

What does a black crested mangabey eat?

The black crested mangabey's menu consists of fruits, leaves, seeds, the bark of trees and flowers. Sometimes they also eat small animals and reptiles. Their strong teeth allow them to easily break open hard seeds.

Is a black crested mangabey endangered?

The black crested mangabey has been assigned "vulnerable" status on the IUCN Red List. It is not known how many of these animals are still alive in the wild. It is known, however, that their habitat is threatened by increasing populations. This is reducing their habitat. The animals are also hunted by locals for meat. The natural predators of the crested mangabey are the crowned eagle, the panther and the golden cat.

Species Conservation

The role of zoos is to preserve and protect of endangered species. European parks work closely with each other to achieve this goal and do so with an management program (EEP). The crested mangabey is also part of this. In this way, a healthy reserve population is maintained. Find out more about species conservation and our role here here.

Conservation

Not only the crested mangabey, but many of the species you see in our park are endangered and struggling in their native habitats. Did you know that worldwide more than 4000 animal species are threatened with extinction are endangered? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Want to know how? Then click here.

How many young will a black crested mangabey have?

Crested mangabeys can have young throughout the year. There is not a set season. A female only gives birth to one young at a time. The cub stays on its mother's belly and drinks milk. When the cub is two months old, it already starts eating plants and fruits by itself. Still, a young remains drinking with mother for up to one year. Young males often leave the group when they are between two and six years old. Females often stay in the group.

What is the life expectancy of a black crested mangabey?

In the wild, crested mangabey live to be about 20 years old. In zoos, the animals can live to be older because here they are cared for and there are no natural predators present.

What kind of sound does a black crested mangabey make?

Black crested mangabey make different sounds to communicate with each other. For example, they have special sounds to greet each other, a loud alarm call when in danger and the males let each other know they are there by calling loudly. This call can be heard from miles away. Black crested mangabey not only communicate with each other by sounds, but also with their crests. When the animals have a neutral mood, the crest is straight up. When the crest is pointed backward, the animal shows that it is angry and displays a threatening attitude. During a threat, the crested mangabey lets out a low humming sound and makes the crest move up and down a bit.

Come see the crested mangabey in person!