Cercopithecus tantalus is a species of Old World monkey commonly known as the Tantalus monkey or Tantalus guenon. It belongs to the family Cercopithecidae and is classified under the genus Cercopithecus. The Tantalus monkey is found in various parts of West Africa including Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast, inhabiting forests and wooded areas.
This medium-sized primate typically measures around 50-60 centimeters in length, with an additional long tail measuring approximately the same length as its body. It has a distinctive appearance characterized by its dark olive to black fur, lighter underside, and a white or light-colored band across its forehead. These monkeys also possess cheek pouches which allow them to store food for later consumption.
Cercopithecus tantalus is primarily arboreal, spending most of its life in the trees, which it traverses using a combination of leaping and climbing. Its diet consists of a wide range of items including fruits, leaves, seeds, flowers, and insects. In terms of social structure, it typically lives in large groups of up to 80 individuals, consisting of multiple males, females, and offspring.
The Tantalus monkey is known for its vocalizations, emitting loud barks, screams, and grunts to communicate with its group members. It may also perform distinctive visual displays such as exaggerated yawning and piloerection (raising of hair) to convey various messages.
Due to habitat loss and deforestation, the Tantalus monkey faces threats to its population, and it is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List. Efforts are being made to protect its habitats and conserve
