Black-and-White Colobus

African monkeys · forest dwellers · seed dispersers · social animals

Two-toned fur coat. Black-and-white colobuses have stunning patches of black and white fur that make them easy to spot in the forest. Their bold coloring helps them blend in with the dappled shadows of the trees where they live.

Leaf-loving diet. Unlike many other monkeys that eat insects and meat, colobuses are herbivores that munch on leaves, flowers, and fruit all day long. Their special stomachs let them digest tough leaves that other animals can't eat.

Seed-spreading helpers. When colobuses eat fruit and travel through the forest, they spread seeds in their droppings, helping new plants and trees grow across Africa. They're like tiny gardeners of the rainforest.

Family group customs. Colobuses live in social groups that look different from one family to the next, with their own special greeting rituals and sleeping patterns. Female monkeys even help care for each other's babies in ways that show how close their friendships are.

Forest canopy acrobats. These monkeys live high up in the dense forests of Africa, swinging and leaping through the treetops where they find plenty of leaves to eat and places to rest safely.