# black crested mangabey (*Lophocebus aterrimus*) The black crested mangabey is a playful monkey with a fluffy black crest on its head. They love to swing in the trees and are very social, often seen playing with their friends. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests ![black crested mangabey](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black_Mangabey_002.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ltshears, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_Mangabey_002.jpg) ## Appearance The black crested mangabey is a medium-sized monkey with a shaggy, jet-black coat. It features a distinctive, upright crest of hair on its head and striking pale eyelids. Its long tail is also black. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Primates - **Family:** Cercopithecidae - **Genus:** Lophocebus ## Interesting facts - Baby mangabeys cling tightly to their mother's belly for their first few months, riding along everywhere. - The black crested mangabey sometimes forages on the ground, but quickly retreats to trees if danger appears. - Their unique pale eyelids contrast sharply with their dark fur, making them look like they're wearing white eyeliner! - They often forage in groups, using their long tails for balance while searching for food high in trees. ## Special abilities - **Powerful Chompers:** black crested mangabey has strong jaws and teeth that help them crack tough nuts and seeds found in the forest. - **Loud Loudspeaker:** black crested mangabey can make booming 'hoot-gargle' calls that help them communicate across long distances in dense jungle. - **Acrobatic Agility:** black crested mangabey can navigate high in the tree canopy with incredible speed and balance, helping them escape predators. - **Keen Eyesight:** black crested mangabey has sharp vision that helps them spot ripe fruits and hidden insects among dense foliage. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 45-65 cm - **Weight:** 4-10 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-25 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 170 days ## Diet & Feeding These clever monkeys eat many different things, especially fruits, seeds, and insects found in the forest. - **Primary Foods:** Fruits, Seeds, Nuts, Leaves, Insects, Fungi - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Leopard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard) (*Panthera pardus*) — A main predator in its forest habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Crowned eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crowned-eagle) (*Stephanoaetus coronatus*) — Large bird of prey that hunts monkeys. - **Eats:** Strangler fig (*Ficus exasperata*) — Consumes its fruits, dispersing the seeds widely. - **Eats:** African bush mango (*Irvingia gabonensis*) — Feeds on the nutritious seeds from this tree. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch these monkeys from a distance and never try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify black crested mangabey? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is black crested mangabey? 45-65 cm ### How much does black crested mangabey weigh? 4-10 kg ### How long does black crested mangabey live? 20-25 years ### How fast can black crested mangabey move? 25 km/h ### What does black crested mangabey eat? These clever monkeys eat many different things, especially fruits, seeds, and insects found in the forest. ### Where is black crested mangabey usually found? Forests ### How does black crested mangabey hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Black Crested Mangabey: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crested-mangabey)