The maximum temperature here today is 17⁰C, minimum 2⁰C. Very welcome after an extremely cold spell! Dry. South-Easterly winds of 17km/h with gusts up to 32 km/h.
Bonobo, (Pan paniscus), also called pygmy chimpanzee, ape that was regarded as a subspecies of the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) until 1933, when it was first classified separately. It is classified as endangered. The bonobo is found only in lowland rainforests along the south bank of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Closely resembling the chimpanzee in both physical appearance and mode of life, the bonobo is more slender, with longer limbs, a narrower chest, and a rounder head with a less-protruding face. Bonobos are not much smaller than chimpanzees: males weigh about 39 kg (86 lbs) and females about 31 kg (68 lbs), but both are the same height, standing 115 cm (3.8 feet) tall when erect... (Britannica.com)
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As above; rough play but they seemed to enjoy it...
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Gelada (Theropithecus gelada), is a large baboon like monkey that differs from true baboons in having the nostrils some distance from the tip of the muzzle. The gelada inhabits the mountains of Ethiopia and lives in groups among steep cliffs and high plateaus. Terrestrial and active during the day, it feeds on leaves, grasses, roots, and tubers. The male bears a long, heavy mane and maybe more than 70 cm (28 inches) long, excluding the somewhat shorter tail. Weight is about 19 kg (42 pounds), but the female is markedly smaller only 12 kg (26 lbs). See my previous post for more photos of the male...
Presumably a female Gelada...
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Young Geladas playing...
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Mantled guereza, distinguished by their black and white pelts, (Colobus guereza) (known also as the Abyssinian black-and-white colobus) from the East African mountains of Uganda and the northern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Meerkat, (Suricata suricatta), a burrowing member of the mongoose family (Herpestidae), found in southwestern Africa, it is unmistakably recognizable in its upright “sentinel” posture (See below) as it watches for predators. They live in cooperative packs of 3 to 25 with partially overlapping home ranges of a few square kilometres, which they mark with secretions of the anal glands.
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Red Faced Spider Monkey (Ateles paniscus) is a species of spider monkey that lives in South America. These monkeys have long, black hair and a red or pink face that is bare except for a few short, white hairs. Infants are born with dark faces, which lighten as they age. Red-faced spider monkeys have a prehensile (capable of grasping) tail, and their fingers and limbs are long, agile and strong. They are listed as endangered.
Squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) live in the wild in the forest and tropical jungles of Central and South America and also on the island of La Mère, French Guiana. They are active during the day, spending most of their time in the middle level of the forest, moving from tree to tree looking for the fruits, flowers and insects that make up their diet.
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My local list of wildflowers. (91 Species 02/12/2021).
See also my
Every photo is a feast. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie, it was such an interesting day out and I am enjoying remembering each Primate as I go through the photos. More to follow 🐵 Keep well, cheers, Diane
DeleteInteresting post. Some of them are so human like.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, Probably more human than some humans!!Hope all is well over there on the other side of the world. Have a good week t'other Diane
DeleteGood morning, Diane. In a lifetime of great wildlife experiences one of the most memorable of all was spending time with Geladas in the highlands of Ethiopia. Fascinating animals in the most breathtaking landscape imaginable. Thanks for the reminder. Gros bisous de ton ami canadien, David
ReplyDeleteDavid you are lucky to have seen them in the wild, I have seen most of Africa from the top to the bottom, but Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania on the East coat I have missed, and around Mauritania and Mali area on the West coast I have not visited. In the old days when we had to refuel planes to fly from Rhodesia to the UK, I did touch down in Kenya one flight for refuelling but that is about it. Gosh, how those days have changed! How I wish the world would settle down as there are so many places there I would still love to see. Politics just spoil everything! I am so grateful to my folks for being so adventurous, and that I managed to see so much of Africa in 1953 when the world was a calmer place recovering from WWII.
DeleteMerci mon ami canadien, bisous, Diane
I get the impression, from your beautiful photos, that La Vallée de Singes has been superbly set up to replicate the natural habitat of its occupants as nearly as possible, Diane. Thank you for an informative and highly enjoyable post.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased to hear that your weather is improving - ours seems to be heading in that direction too.
Best wishes - stay safe - - - Richard
Thanks Richard, I am glad you are enjoying these primate posts, I have probably another couple to go yet. I was very impressed with the conditions these animals live in and you can walk in between many of the monkeys playing with them totally ignoring you. The gorillas, Chimps, Bonobos, Geladas and some of the other larger apes are on islands, but many of the smaller species, including the Barbary Apes, you just walk in amongst them.
DeleteIn their words “Neither cage, nor fence ! but several territories that will offer you a full immersion into the primate's world !”
Keep well and very best wishes to you and the family. Diane
Oh I love those babes....don't laugh, and I know now it would not have been a good idea but as a teen I wanted some sort of monkey. Mom and Dad would not have let me, but I gave up on that when I realized I would have to change diapers...
ReplyDeleteLOL Pam when we lived in Rhodesia somehow my father knew someone who had a lot to do with the wildlife. He was forever getting babies of different breeds to rear, and yes, one of them was a tiny vervet monkey who had to wear a nappy!!! Keep well Diane
DeleteI could watch primates for hours--they are so fascinating. I also love meerkats! So adorable & curious.
ReplyDeletePam I could not agree more, both primates and meerkats are such interesting characters and I could also just sit and watch them for hours on end.
DeleteI hope that all is well. Take care Diane
I have missed seeing your absolute great photo's. These are spectacular, Diane.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Hi Sally, good to hear from you, and thanks so much for the lovely comment. I hope your family are all on the mend and that you can relax a bit. Take care, Diane xx
DeleteSplendid photos Diane, they really are amazing animals. I feel as though I am looking at my ancestors!
ReplyDeleteThey are such lovely animals and yes they are so human in many respects. Take care Diane
DeleteMagnificent animals, the photos are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maria, such fun animals to photograph, and because they are used to humans, it makes the photography so much easier. I hope that all is well. Diane
DeleteThe Bonobos look like cousins. Actually they all do. Your captures are outstanding.
ReplyDeleteSome of these are better behaved than some humans I know. Fun taking photos of animals that do not generally run away when they see you. Have a good week, Diane
DeleteTo see these creatures in the wild must truly be amazing.
ReplyDeleteMonica this is just the most amazing place, not in their own countries but as close to being wild as they possibly could be. The birth rate must show just how relaxed and happy they are. Cheers Diane
DeleteHi Diane - that must have been a great visit - the place looks so appropriate for these primates - they look in such good health. I'd love to visit ... and imagine you'll re-visit on occasion. I was never brave enough to explore that much - but I was lucky to be able to spend time in Africa ... being in other countries opens the door to think and appreciate others. Thanks - love looking at your excellent photos - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary, I will certainly re-visit, but I think the time of the year we went was perfect. It was still quite cool so not that many visitors, and the trees only had a few green shoots so the primates in the trees were clearly visible. October/November probably would be good as well when they have limited opening hours and the trees will have lost a lot of their leaves. I still have more photos, I will get them done eventually!
DeleteCheers, have a good weekend Diane