Allen’s Swamp Monkey

Helen Brach Primate House is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Did You Know?

• Water is a central part of Allen’s swamp monkey habitats. They inhabit swamp forests as well as areas with rivers.
• Allen’s swamp monkeys live in groups of 50 or more individuals, consisting of multiple males and females.
• They spend much of their time in trees, but also forage on the ground.

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Overview

Scientific Name: Allenopithecus nigroviridis

Class: Mammals

Diet: Fruit, seeds, insects, fish, shrimp, snails, small invertebrates

Range: Central Africa

Endangered Status: Least Concern

More Information

Allen’s swamp monkeys are small, stout monkeys with mostly brown, gray, or green fur and lighter colors on their undersides and throat. The fur on their neck and shoulders grows longer than the rest of their hair. Their tail is usually longer than their bodies—adults may be 18 inches long with a 20-inch-long tail. Females are much smaller, weighing around 7.5 pounds compared to a male’s 13 or more pounds.

These monkeys communicate with one another through gestures and calls such as warning chirps, deep croaks, and grunts. They strengthen their social bonds through grooming. Females are primary caregivers for offspring, which are born after five or six months of gestation. Young monkeys are very active and are weaned from their mothers after about three months.