Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

Scientific Name: Cercopithecus nigroviridis

Range: Zaire

Habitat: Swampy forests

Diet: Wild: fruit, seeds, insects, fish, shrimp, snails
Zoo: Monkey Chow, fruits and vegetables

Gestation: 5 to 6 months

Litter: Usually one; rarely twins

Life Span: 23 years in captivitiy

Description: Head and body length range from 17.7 to 18 inches. Tail length is about 19.5 inches. Weight ranges from 7.7 to 13 pounds with males being heavier then females. The hair is slightly longer on the nape and shoulders than on the back, and scant on the underparts, hands and feet. The skin of the face is dark grayish brown to black, but lighter around the eyes. The hairs on the sides of the face extend outward to form a ruff from the ears to the mouth. The hair is flattened on the crown. General coloration above is grayish to almost black, sometimes with a yellowish tinge, and the underparts are light gray or whitish, sometimes speckled with black and yellow. The tail is dark above and lighter below. The body is rather heavy in appearance, and anatomically bears some resemblance to the baboons. (The Genus was formerly Cercopithecus. It was changed to Allenopithecus because of periodic perineal swelling.)

Behavior: They forage on the ground like baboons. They frequent swampy areas, and probably go into water freely. They have been observed in swamp forests, with regular sleeping sites on riverbanks. They are friendly in demeanor.

Did You Know? Allen's swamp monkey numbers are threatened by hunting and habitat loss.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the Old World Monkey Exhibits at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.