Head to head
Black-and-White Colobus vs Proboscis Monkey
The black-and-white colobus and proboscis monkey both evolved a specialised, multi-chambered stomach to digest tough leaves, but they arrived at very different physical adaptations elsewhere on their bodies.
| Black-and-White Colobus | Proboscis Monkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Colobus guereza | Nasalis larvatus |
| Signature feature | Reduced thumbs, white mantle | Oversized pendulous nose in males |
| Swimming ability | Not a notable swimmer | Strong swimmer, partially webbed feet |
| Range | East and Central Africa | Borneo only |
| Habitat type | Rainforest and forest | Swamp forest and mangroves |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Population trend | Stable | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Rainforest, forest | Rainforest, wetlands |
Black-and-White Colobus vs Proboscis Monkey: common questions
Why do both the black-and-white colobus and proboscis monkey have unusual stomachs?
Both species rely on a specialised, multi-chambered stomach functionally similar to a cow's, using bacterial fermentation to break down the tough, fibrous leaves that make up a large share of their diet, an adaptation most other monkeys lack.
What is the proboscis monkey's nose for?
A male of this species has an oversized, pendulous nose believed to amplify its calls and signal dominance and attractiveness to females, a feature with no equivalent in the black-and-white colobus, which instead stands out for its reduced thumbs and dramatic white fur mantle.
Which of these two monkeys is the better swimmer?
The proboscis monkey is by far the stronger swimmer, with partially webbed feet suited to its swamp forest and mangrove habitat on Borneo, while the black-and-white colobus is not known for swimming and instead relies on dramatic leaps between trees to get around.