Thollon’s Red Colobus

• Common Name: Thollon’s Red Colobus
• Taxonomy Classification Year: 1886
• Monkey Size: 45 to 67 cm (18 to 26 in)
• Skin Color(s): Slatey-grey or dark brown
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Diet: Herbivorous
• Native Countries: Democratic Republic of Congo

The Thollon’s red colobus^[1] (Piliocolobus tholloni), also called the Tshuapa red colobus, is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Lower Republic of the Congo.

• It is located west of the Lomami River and south of the Congo River. It was once thought to be a subspecies of Piliocolobus badius.
• It was recognized as a separate species by Dandelot in 1974, followed by Groves in 2001. Others have suggested it be considered a subspecies of Piliocolobus rufomitratus.
• Thollon’s red colobus reaches a head-to-body length of 450-670 mm (18-26 in) with a tail of 520-800 mm (20-31 in) and weighs 5-11 kg (11-24 lb).
• It has a red or brown head and limbs and a black, slate gray, or dark brown upper part. It does not have long tufts of hair or fringes on its tail.
• Compared to other Colobus monkeys, the nostrils are V-shaped, the fingers are long, and the big toe is short.

• These African primates are found in all layers of the rainforest.
• Like Foa’s red colobus, Thollon’s red colobus monkeys are incredibly agile, moving between trees by brachiation.
• These monkeys use vocalizations to communicate. Their repertoire consists of alarm calls whose duration varies according to the imminent threat.
• Females leave their natal group and move freely between groups of males that remain in their natal group.