Biology

The black colobus is a tree-dwelling monkey that lives in small troops of 6 to 15 individuals, including one or more adult male (4). The majority of the diet consists of seeds and unripe fruits, but the black colobus also consumes leaves (6), as all colobus monkeys possess an unusual stomach that enables them to digest leaves more efficiently than other primates (2). The distinct high-pitched roar of the colobus can be heard across the forest as dawn breaks (3), and groups can also be heard calling to each other as they prepare to move or as they arrange their night-time sleeping positions (2).