Mountain Monkeys

Mountain monkey photo by Blasio Byekwaso

Very little is known about the mountain monkey (also known as L’Hoest monkey) as they are rare, secretive and suspicious with an estimated 1,000 in Bwindi in the late 1990s. As adults they weigh 3–6kg /6.6– 13lb (female/male). Group size average is 25–30 but their territorial and social structure is not well-known; it may be similar to the blues and redtails.

Mountain monkeys tend to feed low, foraging 60% of their time below 5m/16ft. within a 7–10km²/2.7–3.9mi² area. They spend more time than other species on the ground, which may protect them against aerial predation in daytime, but sleep in tall trees to avoid nocturnal terrestrial carnivores. Their diet is fruit 40% (wild figs where possible), bushy growth 30% and insects 15%. The quantity and quality of food at this level is the poorest of the forest.

The golden cat is the main predator, though raptors who can swoop through the low canopy may also be significant. They sometimes raid crops and were previously hunted in Bwindi and the Rwenzori Mountains for their skins to make shoulder bags.

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