All about the savanna Patas Monkey, Uganda primate

The patas monkey has a white mane on both sides of its face. For the male, it’s mane is quite longer than that of the female. Did you know it’s also known as a Military monkey?

The male patas is nearly twice the weight of the female, that is to say, 7-13kgs for the male and 4-7kgs for the female. The run-up to a speed of about 55km/h on the ground.

Patas monkeys live in fairly large groups of about 30individuals with usually one male present. One or two females take the lead in the group, and the adult male acts as the guard and lookout. They are so active during the day and rest during the hot hours.

However much they can climb high in trees, they are terrestrial. When they are alarmed by danger, their speed on the ground is always the immediate reply in a way to escape from danger.

They have a wide range of plant material and animal prey in their diet. Patas usually feed on leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, geckos, chameleons, bird eggs and so on. They mostly feed in the morning and evening hours.

Patas monkeys have a gestation period of about 167days. Young patas clings around the female first as it gradually becomes independent. In Uganda, most Patas are born around February, whereas in other countries, such as Kenya, they are mostly born between June and September.

Just like they feed daily, Patas are also food to other animals such as Lions, Leopards, Jackals, Wild dogs, and Pythons, just to mention a few.

There are other species of monkeys here, and they, too, have different behaviours. For example, the vervet, black and white colobus, the red colobus and others.

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