Mammals
Red-tailed Monkey
Cercopithecus ascanius · also called red-tailed guenon, black-cheeked white-nosed monkey
In a Ugandan forest, a red-tailed monkey with a white heart-shaped nose patch races along a branch with its coppery tail arched, part of a mixed band that includes other monkeys.
Overview
The red-tailed monkey, Cercopithecus ascanius, is a Least Concern guenon of the forests of Central and East Africa. Its white nose patch, red tail, and habit of travelling in mixed troops make it one of the most recognisable monkeys of African forests.
A monkey that mixes
By travelling with other monkey species, the red-tailed monkey gains extra eyes for spotting predators and finds more food.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and common.
Red-tailed Monkey: common questions
Why is it called the red-tailed monkey?
It has a long reddish or coppery tail.
What is the white patch on its nose?
It is a white, heart-shaped patch of fur that gave it the alternative name white-nosed monkey.
Does the red-tailed monkey travel with other monkeys?
Yes, it often moves with other forest monkeys, such as red colobus and mangabeys.
Where is the red-tailed monkey found?
It lives in forest across Central and East Africa, including Uganda.