The patas monkey in Uganda is an Old World monkey (family Cercopithecidae) related to guenons. Because of its color, white facial marking, and habits, it has also been called the hussar, military, or dancing red monkey, as well as the red guenon.
The patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas), a slender, reddish-brown monkey with long limbs, thrives in Uganda’s dry Savannah and woodland areas, particularly in parks like Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley national parks, where they are often seen on ground, anthills and branches. They more active in the morning and late afternoon, during the midday heat they rest in shade of trees together.
Patas monkeys live in social group in which only females are permanent members. When males leave the natal group at sexual maturity they may join an all male group or the male may live a solitary lifestyle. Usually only one male per group is present. Groups may consist of ten to hundred plus members.
However, Uganda is much gifted with high concentration of primates in the entire East African Community and on the African continent at large. It hosts over 13 primate species that dwell in the tropical forests of Uganda.
Patas monkeys are omnivores and have a varied diet. Fruit and insects make up the majority of their diet but these monkeys also feed on leaves, flowers, roots, eggs and small vertebrates.
Dominant males have been observed to act aggressively toward younger males in captivity. However, observations of wild patas monkeys has shown young males leaving the group in which they were born without any aggressive behavior from the adult male.
Patas monkeys are the fastest primate species in the world. They can sprint at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour.
They primarily consume plant matter such as seeds, fruits, and leaves. In some populations, gum makes up a large portion of the diet. The whistling thorn tree, Acacia drepanolobium, provides the majority of dietary needs for eastern patas populations.
Gestation – Gestation lasts approximately 5.5 months in macaques (rhesus: 146 – 180 days; cynomolgus: 153 – 179 days) [1]. Maternal health – Maternal health has a profound influence on infant development.
Just like predators, monkeys are hard-wired to be afraid of snakes. This is natural as they often share habitats with snakes and their toxic bites often claim the lives of adult and juvenile monkeys.
Monkeys in the wild have a large number of predators, including large birds of prey crocodiles, large snakes and predatory mammals like leopards even baboons.
The patas monkeys protect themselves by use of their Teeth and claws when things get up close and personal. And they have lightening fast reflexes for fighting as well as escape. They also have a network to warn one another when they see predators, since they are social and intelligent animals, like us. So they have safety in numbers.
Their lifespan in the wild is around 15–20 years, but in captivity, due to plentiful food, veterinary care, and a lack of predators, this can increase to 21–24 years.
