FACTS AND INFORMATION ABOUT GOLDEN MONKEYS

Facts and information about Golden Monkeys – Things you should know about the old world Monkey as subspecies of the blue monkey – Safe Golden Monkey Trekking can be done in Only Uganda & Rwanda – the Democratic Republic of Congo is still NOT safe for Tourism – Golden Monkey Trekking In Mgahinga Gorilla Park Costs USD90 (including Park Entry Fees) – saves you USD10 as Rwanda charges USD100.

Unlike other primates, not much is known about the Golden Monkey. Although easy to recognize, from its distinct golden-orange patch on the upper flanks and back. The Golden Monkey is considered an Old World monkey, endemic to Central Africa.

In the past, the Golden Monkey wasn’t recognized as separate species, has for long been considered a subspecies of the Blue Monkey, these two monkeys are closely related and also very similar.

Unfortunately, the ongoing divisions, depletion, and or encroachment on forests has led to fragmentation of their home range causing them to live in isolated populations, where they have adapted to the local environment. As a result, the Golden monkey has diverged from the Blue Monkey. This endangered animal is one of the eight subspecies of the Blue Monkey. Females of the golden monkey exhibit lighter coloration as well as less grizzled brown patches. However, there is very little information on the behavior and ecology of this species due to lack of observations.

PLACES TO SEE GOLDEN MONKEYS IN AFRICA – FACTS AND INFORMATION ABOUT GOLDEN MONKEYS

The distribution of Golden Monkeys is limited to the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, where these animals occur in four (04) national parks – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (south-west Uganda), Volcanoes National Park (north-west Rwanda), Virunga and Kahuzi-Biéga (eastern Democratic Republic of Congo). The ideal habitat for this species is a highland forest with sufficient fruits and bamboo.

HABITAT & LIFESTYLE – FACTS AND INFORMATION ABOUT GOLDEN MONKEYS

Golden monkeys are highly social animals, forming groups of 30 – 80 individuals. Each of these units is dominated by a single mature male. The group size varies with elevation; as a general rule, groups at higher elevations are smaller. Females are constantly with the group to defend the territory, whereas males usually remain with the group temporarily, leaving it after a while. These monkeys are diurnal (active during the day) and arboreal (spend most of their time jumping back and forth in trees). Their sleeping sites are located at tops of bamboo plants. When sleeping, Golden monkeys gather into smaller groups of four (04) individuals on average. Feeding areas are usually found in close proximity to their sleeping sites, so these animals take daily trips to forage. Primary forms of communication, used by these primates, are visual expressions and various vocalizations. Some of these vocalizations are used by males during confrontations or when defending their territories. Females of this species use a wide range of calls to keep the unity of the group as well as alert community members of potential threats. Meanwhile, sub-adults are known to accompany mobbing behavior with certain calls. Additionally, young individuals may display submissiveness through vocalizations.

SPECIAL NOTE: A group – family of Golden Monkeys is called a troop, barrel, cartload, tribe, or wilderness.

DIET & NUTRITION – FACTS AND INFORMATION ABOUT GOLDEN MONKEYS

Golden Monkeys are herbivorous (folivores and frugivore), they generally feed off bamboo leaves,  branchlets, shoots, wild fruits, flowers, and shrubs, supplementing this diet with occasional invertebrates such as the pupae of lepidopterous larvae, found on leaves.

MATING HABITS – FACTS AND INFORMATION ABOUT GOLDEN MONKEYS