Zanzibar Red Colobus: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Great Apes and Leaf Monkeys · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Some of these monkeys eat charcoal. It is thought to help them cope with toxins in young mango and Indian almond leaves.
2. Groups that feed in salty mangroves take in more salt. They have been seen drinking from holes in trees and licking water off leaves.
3. It skips ripe fruit. Its four-chambered stomach breaks down leaves well but cannot handle the sugars in ripe fruit.
4. Colobus means cut short, because its thumb is tiny or missing. Its four long fingers form a strong hook for gripping branches.
5. Its black face has a crown of long white hair and a pink patch on the lips and nose. Each adult's face is distinct, so they can tell each other apart.

The quiz

1. What unusual food do some Zanzibar red colobus eat to cope with leaf toxins?

• Charcoal (correct)
• Seashells
• Sand
• Feathers

Charcoal is believed to help them digest toxins in young leaves.

2. How do colobus groups that feed in mangroves get water?

• They dig wells in the sand
• They drink seawater from the waves
• From tree holes and wet leaves (correct)
• They never drink at all

They drink straight from tree holes or lick water off leaves.

3. Which food does the Zanzibar red colobus not eat?

• Young leaves
• Flowers
• Seeds
• Ripe fruit (correct)

Its stomach cannot digest the sugars in ripe fruit.

4. Why is it called a colobus, meaning cut short?

• Its tail is very short
• Its thumb is tiny or missing (correct)
• Its legs are very short
• Its fur is cut short

The name refers to its much reduced or missing thumb.

5. What colour is the mark on its lips and nose?

• Blue
• Yellow
• Green
• Pink (correct)

Its black face has a pink mark on the lips and nose.

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