The patas monkey, Erythrocebus patas, is a distinctive primate known for its striking appearance and remarkable speed. Also known as the hussar monkey or red guenon, it is native to the savannas and grasslands of Africa. Its scientific classification places it within the family Cercopithecidae.
Physical Characteristics and Habitat
Patas monkeys possess a lean, greyhound-like build. Their fur is predominantly reddish-brown on the back, contrasting with white undersides, legs, and feet. Males are larger than females, weighing 15 to 29 pounds (6.8–13.2 kg), while females weigh 9 to 15 pounds (4.1–6.8 kg). Both sexes have long limbs, with a body length ranging from 20 to 28 inches (50–70 cm) and a tail of similar length. Their dark faces are adorned with a white mustache and beard, and a distinctive black line runs from the face to the ear.
These monkeys inhabit open savannas, grasslands, and semi-arid regions across central and west Africa, stretching from Senegal to Kenya and northern Tanzania. They prefer areas with scattered trees and tall grasses. They tolerate arid conditions, but also inhabit more moist woodlands or human-made clearings from deforestation.
Social Behavior and Adaptations
Patas monkeys are largely ground-dwelling and diurnal. Their social structure consists of multi-female groups, ranging from 10 to 40 individuals, with a single adult male present. Females are philopatric, meaning they remain in their birth group, while males disperse upon reaching sexual maturity, around three years of age. Females lead the group and defend their home ranges from other troops.
The patas monkey’s speed, reaching up to 34 miles per hour (55 km/hr), makes it the fastest primate. This speed is a primary adaptation for evading predators like cheetahs, lions, hyenas, and jackals in their open habitats. When a predator is sighted, the adult male draws attention to himself and then runs off at high speed, diverting the threat away from the hiding females and young. Their anti-predation strategy also involves crypsis and watchfulness.
Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of plant matter and small animals. They consume acacia fruits, galls, and leaves, along with seasonal fruits, flowers, and tree gum. Insects like grasshoppers, winged ants, lizards, and bird eggs are also part of their diet. Over 65% of their foraging activity occurs on the ground, reflecting their terrestrial lifestyle. Patas monkeys use distinct alarm calls to warn group members about specific predators, with adult males emitting a “bark grunt” for all threats, including extra-group males.
Conservation Status
The patas monkey is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List. Their populations are declining across their range due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The expansion of human populations leads to the conversion of savannas and woodlands into agricultural land, and deforestation for charcoal production further reduces their habitat.
Hunting also poses a threat to patas monkeys, particularly in West Africa, where they are hunted for bushmeat. Crop raiding by these monkeys can lead to persecution by farmers, who shoot them to protect their crops. While some populations exist within protected areas, many live outside these zones, leaving them more susceptible to human-induced pressures.