Red-capped mangabey

The Red-capped mangabeys’ diet consists primarily of nuts, seeds and fruits, which they usually forage on the forest floor. They also often raid plantations, much to the annoyance of local farmers, who combat the monkeys as pests. Red-capped mangabeys are good climbers and sleep high up in the trees of the tropical rainforest to reduce the risk of predation from enemies like the leopard.

The gregarious monkeys live in groups of up to 30 animals, consisting of multiple males, females and their young. They are quick to quarrel, during which they usually express themselves with loud cries. Red-capped mangabeys have a range of vocalisation for communication. They also engage with each other using visual communication such as posture or facial expressions.

The Red-capped mangabey population is in continuous decline due to the destruction of the rainforest and hunting for their meat.