Primates inhabit both populated and unpopulated areas and can be very entertaining. Zambia has eleven species primate namely, including the Blue Balls monkey.
Importance of conserving primates
Primates are important in ensuring their ecosystems function properly. The following are reasons for conserving primates:
show more- They are a critical part of the food chain, as both as predators and prey
- The primate’s feed behaviour helps in seed dispersal. The seeds of some plant species are only dispersed by primates
- The primate digestive system improves the seed germination rates of some plant species
- Primates are key pollinators for some plant species
- Seed dispersal by primates adds to plant growth and therefore buffering against global climate change.
(Cercopithecus mitis) The little hair on the face of the Blue Monkey or Diademed Monkey can give it a blue appearance.
The Blue Monkey or Diademed Monkey Found in the Northern half of Zambia.
The Blue Monkey is mainly dark blue-grey with blackish cap, mantle, front legs and feet; up to 10kg (22lb) and 80cm (31.5in) in total length. These primates live in troops of up to 40, with one dominant male and are more arboreal than the larger Vervet Monkey.
(Otolemur crassicaudatus) Called a Bushbaby because of its baby-like shrieking.
The Bushbaby is Found in most parts of Zambia except the south-western corner.
The Bushbaby has a uniformly grey to grey-brown coat, up to 1.5 kg (3.3lb) with very small with large eyes, quite common in Zambia but nocturnal, not often seen. During the day, females sleep in a group of 2 to 6, while males are solitary. These primates can grow to a total length of 80 cm (31.5in).
The Chacma baboon has a grey-brown coat, up to 45kg (99lb) and commonly found in the southern regions, in large groups. These primates can grow to a total length of 160 cm (63in).
(Papio ursinus) Zambia has the Gray-footed Chacma with “broken” or U-shaped tails. The Chacma baboon is the largest baboon species.
The Chacma baboon is Found in the southern half of Zambia.
The Kinda baboon has a yellow coat and closely related to the Yellow Baboon; up to 14kg (31lb) and commonly found in the northern regions, in large groups. These primates can grow to a total length of 50cm (20in).
(Papio kindae) Unlike other baboons, the Kinda baboon is unusually small with adult males a similar size of adult females of other baboon species.
The Kinda baboon is Found in the Northern half of Zambia.
(Chlorocebus cypygerythrus) It is conspecific with the Vervet monkey. The scrotum is blue, the penis is red.
The Blue Balls Monkey is Found in most parts of Zambia except Eastern province and the southern parts of Southern, Lusaka and Muchinga Provinces.
The Blue Balls Monkey is olive-grey with white breast, underparts, cheeks and eyebrows.
(Galago moholi) Galago ears can be folded and unfolded as needed.
The lesser Bushbaby Found in all parts of Zambia.
The lesser Bushbaby is about 14% the bodyweight of a Bushbaby. Up to 210g (0.5lb) with very small with large forward-facing eyes, quite common in Zambia but nocturnal, not often seen. These primates can grow to a total length of 40cm (16in). They have exceptional jumping abilities.
(Cercopithecus albogularis) The Sykes’s Monkey is conspecific with the blue monkey
The Sykes’s Monkey is Found in Eastern province and Lower Zambezi .
The Sykes’s Monkey is a white-throated monkey or Samango monkey. These primates are grey with a large white patch on the throat and upper chest. It is similar in size to the Blue monkey.
(Cercopithecus ascanius) The Red-tailed Guenon has a red 90cm (35.4in) red tail about 60% of the total body length.
The Red-tailed Guenon is Found in the northern parts of North-Western and Northern provinces.
The Red-tailed Guenon has a greenish-olive and red coat with white underparts. Up to 150cm (59in) and 6kg (13.2lb). These primates live in troops that can be up to 35 animals and predominantly arboreal.
The Thomas’s Dwarf Galago is ginger to brownish-grey coat with grey underparts. Can be up to 149kg (328.5lb) and 40cm (15.7in) long. They are both nocturnal and arboreal. These primates live within groups that can have 12 animals.
(Galago thomasi) The Thomas’s Dwarf Galago is the second smallest African primate. Sex ratios can be equal in their groups (gender-balanced).
The Thomas’s Dwarf Galago is Found in the northern parts of Luapula and Northern provinces.
The vervet monkey is the most common monkey species, seen in large groups of 20 or more animals, often feeding on the ground. Up to 8kg (17.6lb) and a total length of 130cm (51in); with females 5kg (11lb) and 110cm (43in).
(Chlorocebus pygerythrus) The Vervet monkeys are Good climbers, jumpers and swimmers, and therefore often elude capture.
The vervet monkey is Found in Eastern province and the southern parts of Southern, Lusaka and Muchinga Provinces.
The Yellow baboon has a yellowish-brown coat, up to 45kg (99 lb) and commonly found in the southern regions, in large groups of up to 200 individuals. They can grow to a total length of 160 cm (63 in). It has an opportunistic omnivorous lifestyle.
(Papio cynocephalus); The Yellow baboon has at least 10 different vocalisations.
The Yellow baboon is Found in all parts except the bottom third of the country.
Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage
Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage (Chingola) is one of the largest and oldest chimpanzee sanctuaries, in the world. It hosts over 130 rescued chimpanzees, on hundreds of acres of natural Miombo woodland.
The orphanage operations depend on donors, volunteers and visitors, and the orphanage also supports the community around it.
See mammals and the Zambia Primate Project.