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Cercopithecus mona
These brightly coloured and vocal monkeys are
found in the tropical forests of Western Africa--from Ghana to Cameroon. Their
most distinctive marking are the two bold white spots on their hips, either side
of their tail. Their bright white underside also stands out vividly in the dark
forest, and hunters often call them the "white monkey".
Monas are amongst the most adaptable of the
forest guenons, and can live in several types of forest areas. They are the only
primate found in pure mangrove habitat, far from any coastal forest. One may
occasionally observe other primates in mangrove forests, but only if there is
substantial coastal rainforest nearby.
The mona "sneeze" call, an alarm call which
travels quickly through a group, is usually the first sign that monas are in the
nearby forest, apart from the loud call of the male. The alarm call is used to
warn troop members of danger, usually predators such as snakes or eagles---and
man. A careful observer who remains undetected may also hear their contact call
"nnneee", made at frequent intervals to help keep contact with each other in the
thick vegetation. Hunters say in the mangrove areas, the large male also warns
others of the incoming tide with his "boom" call, a two syllable resonant short
call, often preceding the loud "hack" calls
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