Samango+Monkey

The Sykes Monkey, also known as The White Throated Monkey or the Samango Monkey, is named after English naturalist Colonel William Henry Sykes. The male Samango Monkey is larger than the female. The male Samango's mass is between 7 and 9 Kg. where the female has a mass of 4 to 5 Kg. Although the male has a larger mass, they each have a tail that is one third larger than their entire body. The Samango Monkey's coat from head to shoulder is dark grey while their neck and belly are a creamy white color. Their face, hands, feet and limbs are black, similar to a raccoon found in the United States.

The Samango Monkey is South Africa's only primate that is found exclusively in the forest. It can be found between the forests of Ethiopia and South Africa. These monkeys live in lowland, moist areas, delta, bamboo, and gallery forests. They eat leaves, fruits, flowers and insects. In South Africa, they can be found in the coastal forests north of St. Lucia and in the Afromontane forests of Mpumalanga. There is a southern subspecies that can be found in Afromontane and coastal forests of Eastern Cape, just north of the Knysna forest. These monkeys communicate with loud barking that can be heard from many miles away. They use this bark when one of their troop or family members is in trouble. Their troop can include as many as 35 members. Samango’s live on average for 20 years in the forest, and in captivity, they live to be about 25-27 years old.

The female Samango Monkey is pregnant for approximately 140 days before giving birth as the warm, rainy season begins from November to February. The baby monkeys are carried by their mother for 2 to 3 months. After 9 months they are weaned from their mother but can still nurse for up to 2 years. The Samango Monkey live in troops averaging 14 individuals that include infants, juveniles, sub-adults and one adult male. Young males will leave their troop when they are about 6 years old to form their own harem of females. The life span of a Samango Monkey is approximately 30 years.

Forests in South Africa make up approximately 0.4% of the national surface area and therefore are endangered and need to be protected to ensure the Samango Monkey continues to exist. The population of the Samango Monkey has declined 30% over the last 27 years. The increasing land-use and demand for forest resources is to blame and it continues to threaten the habitat of the Samango Monkey. These habitats are irreplaceable and if not protected the Samango Monkey will cease to exist in South Africa. The Samango Monkey is a fascinating animal, and I hope we get a chance to see them during our trip.