Rapmoi

The common patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas ), also known as the wadi monkey or hussar monkey, is a ground-dwelling monkey distributed over semi-arid areas of West Africa, and into East Africa.

Appearance
The fastest primate in the world, the Patas monkey deserves this title due to its long limbs, slender body and a deep chest, giving this animal an amazing sprinting ability and allowing it to gain a high speed of up to 55 kilometers per hour. Males of this species are distinguished from females by a number of characteristics. Thus, they exhibit manes and long white moustaches, which aren't found in females. Furthermore, male Patas monkeys have brighter overall coloration with reddish and grey body, white rump as well as white colored backs of their hind limbs. On the other hand, females display noticeably duller coloration.

Habits and Lifestyle
The Patas monkeys are diurnal animals. They form troops of 10 - 40 individuals, consisting of a single dominant male and multiple females with their offspring. These primates live in a female-dominated society. Females not only lead the groups, but also defend the territory of their group from other troops. Although living together, males and females associate mainly during the breeding season. However, along with breeding, males do have some responsibilities such as protecting the group from threats. When another group appears on their territory, males engage in confrontation, emitting a loud warning call to drive away the intruders. They remain along the boundaries of their group's territory, alerting troop members of approaching threats. They often expose themselves to predators, acting as a decoy while the rest of the group flees to their shelters.

GROUP NAME:
troop, barrel, cartload, tribe, wilderness
LIFESTYLE:
Arboreal, Terrestrial, Nomadic, Territorial,
SEASONAL BEHAVIOR:
Not a migrant

Diet and Nutrition
As omnivorous animals, Patas monkeys feed upon a wide range of food. Their diet generally consists of pods, seeds, gall, young leaves, gum and flowers of Acacia trees, supplemented with occasional grasses, berries, seeds, fruits as well as insects, eggs, lizards and young birds.

Mating Habits
The reproductive system of this species is referred to as ‘harem polygyny’. They live in harem groups of multiple females and a single male, who mates with them all. Patas monkeys occasionally exhibit polygynandrous (promiscuous) system, when males from the outside join these harems during the reproductive season and individuals of both sexes breed with multiple partners.

Fun Facts
When running, Patas monkeys gain very high speeds and are occasionally mistaken for Cheetahs.
The extensile cheeks of Patas monkeys can hold the same amount of food as their stomach.
These primates are known to give out different calls when encountering various types of predators.
These relatively small animals take one of the longest daily trips for primates of their size.
Moreover, males of this species possess proportionally the longest canine teeth among all primates.
They rest by leaning back putting up their feet, which makes them very similar to humans.

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