Origin
The gelada monkey (Theropithecus gelada) belongs to the genus Theropithecus, family Cercopithecidae. It can be found in the mountains of Eastern Africa at altitudes between 2000 and 4500 meters in areas with dense vegetation. The largest population of gelada monkeys is in the Semien mountains.
It is known by several names. It is called the "tan gelada monkey" because of its dark tan fur or the "Abyssinian gelada monkey" because the largest groups of gelada monkeys are located in mountainous lands in Ethiopia, lands that were previously called Abyssinia.
Also known as the" talking monkey "or" gelada baboon", it is considered a close relative of baboons.
It can be found in foreign or specialized literature under the names: the gelada, bleeding-heart baboon or the gelada baboon.
Studies on the sounds of the gelada monkey began in 2006. It seems that in the past, thousands of years ago it would have had a much larger spread area. Fossils have been found in South Africa and Asia, specifically in the countries of Malawi, Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Algeria, Ethiopia, Morocco, Spain, India, and others.
Feeding The Gelada Monkey
The gelada monkey feeds on grass or various foods depending on the season. In the warm season they descend lower and look for insects, tubers, roots, worms or seeds.
It is mainly a herbivorous animal. Because of the way they feed, they have adapted to this life. The fingers are short and strong to drain after roots or worms.
Walking is specifically used only when feeding. Despite its large fangs, it chews its grass like a goat.
Appearance Of The Gelada Monkey
The gelada monkey is about 75cm long, and the weight is no more than 20 kg. The tail is 40-50cm long.
Specific to the gelada monkey is the long and thick fur on the top and back that protects the animal like a coat. On the chest it has an hourglass-shaped spot of red color, and the fur is short white and black.
The black face has a large and powerful snout. The canines are very large and strong. The eyes are small, the iris is dark in color. Long and strong limbs, black in color, end with movable fingers that help to easily catch food or objects. The body is large and sturdy.
Sexual dimorphism is noticeable. Males can reach 75cm and 20kg and females around 50cm and 12kg.
Northern Gelada-Theropithecus gelada gelada
Southern Gelada, eastern Gelada or Heuglin's Gelada-Theropithecus gelada obscurus
Behavior Of The Gelada Monkey
Gelada monkeys are most distinguished from other monkey species by the fact that they do not climb trees. Although strange to hear something like this from a monkey, it prefers to spend its time on earth looking for food.
Researchers are amazed at the similarity between the sounds of gelada monkeys and human speech. Researchers at the University of Michigan say vocal sounds show forgiving similarities to human speech.
The gelada monkey is a sociable monkey with a rich vocal repertoire expressed with complex facial movements, just like humans. Professor Bergman: "however, if you are in the company of these monkeys, you often get the impression that there are people around you talking. I've never had this feeling in years of research with other monkeys.”
It sleeps between rocks, in the splits of boards or in shelters that they find in the mountains. It is a diurnal species. His schedule is as follows. He wakes up in the morning, looks for some food then socialises. I travel all the time. He's in constant motion. In the afternoon they look for food then in the evening when they get close to the sleeping place they socialize a little before they go to sleep. The next day he starts all over again.
Breeding The Gelada Monkey
During the mating period the females after giving birth to him raise them together. Groups of females with cubs are led by a single male. In groups females have very close social ties.
They rarely leave the group. But they are also the ones that start conflicts most often. Females interact with no more than three members of the group. Within the group there is hierarchy.
Females that are at the top of the hierarchy have more sex and give birth to more cubs than lower ranked females.
Males who leave a group may join another group as a subordinate and then fight to take over the group. Or maybe take a few females from the group to make your own group. Groups usually change at age 8-9 because another male either wants to take over the group or the group undergoes changes (splits to form new fruits).
After mating the female gives birth to a cub of 500 grams. Most births take place at night. The gestation period is 5-6 months. The cub is carried by the female on the belly for the first 5 weeks, and then on the back.
Like other monkey species, the female reaches sexual maturity faster at the age of 4-5 years, and the male at the age of 5-7 years.
Life expectancy is about 20 years.
