Allen’s Swamp Monkey

Allen’s Swamp Monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis) is the primate species that is categorized in its own genus Allenopithecus. It is in the Old World monkey family

Allen’s Swamp Monkey lives in the Congo basin. The Congo basin is in the Republic of Congo and in the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This monkey is a rather strongly built animal. Its skin is grey and green at the topside. Its face is reddish with long hair bundles at the cheeks. It has slight webbing on its fingers and toes. It has a partially aquatic way of life. Allen’s Swamp Monkey can reach a full body length from 17.72 to 23.62 in (45 to 60 cm), with an approximately 17 in (50 cm) long tail. Males weigh up to 13.22 lb (6kg). Females weigh around 7.7 lb (3.5 kg).

Allen’s Swamp Monkey is active during the day and regularly looks for food on the ground. It inhabits swampy, water-rich areas and can swim well. It dives to avoid danger. It lives together in social groups of up to 40 animals. It communicates with different calls, gestures and touches.

Its diet consists of fruits and leaves as well as beetles and worms.

Little is known of the mating habits of this species. The females bear young, which are weaned in approximately three months. They are mature after three to five years. Its lifespan is as great as 23 years.

Raptors, snakes and the Bonobo rank among the natural enemies of Allen’s Swamp Monkey. Its swampy habitat is not so strongly exposed to the danger of the forests. However it is hunted for its meat. The IUCN lists them as “near threatened”.