Owl-faced monkeys are located in East Africa. More specifically, the owl-faced monkeys are found in a region in eastern-central Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), in the extreme southwest of Uganda and the northwest of Rwanda (Colyn, 1988). This rainforest region is surrounded by the natural borders of the Lindi / Nepoko river system in the north, the rainforest limit in the south, the Virunga volcano range in the east, and the River Zaire / Lualba to the west (Catlow, 1994; Rahm, 1970). Kingdon (1997) explained that it has been thought that the owl-faced monkey was a mountain species that spread west into the lowland forest regions via the River Zaire and Lualba. Because their habitat has natural borders in all directions (not to mention any borders or disturbances man has added), it is unlikely that owl-faced monkeys will expand their territory or move to another region.
Owl-faced monkey primary habitat is dense montane forests of bamboo, existing 900-4554m elevations (Rowe, 1996; Kingdon, 1997). Kingdon (1997) proposed that the Owl-faced monkeys spread from a non-volcanic center, possibly the Itombwe Mts. where "extensive" bamboo montane forest grows upon "ancient basement rock" (Kingdon, 1997). Kingdon (1997) further explained that in isolated '"revegitated"' areas, such as the volcanic massif west of L. Kivu, repopulation by a small group members of a particular species is likely to create a subspecies. C.h. kahuziensis, existing only in the bamboo forests between 2,000 and 3,300m, was probably the result of such a situation (Kingdon,1997). (Kingdon, 1997 citations from pages 77-78)
Natural Habitat Food
Bamboo is known to be eaten by the owl-faced monkey existing on Mt. Kahuzi, new shoots available during the long wet seasons (Kingdon, 1997). Kingdon (1997) added that the leaves, shoots and piths of other trees, scrubs and herbs are also available throughout the year, most notably the wild celery (Peucedanum) and Vernonia. Fruits are less likely food source for the owl-faced monkey with the exception of: blackberries (Rubus) which are perennial, and Podocarpus, waxberry (Myrica), Schefflera, Dombeya and Cassipourea which all produce seasonal fruits or seeds (Kingdon, 1997).
Natural Habitat Behavior
Owl-faced monkeys exist in groups of less than 10, with a single dominant male (Fielder, 1972; IUCN Red Data, 1993; Kingdon, 1997). Kingdon (1997) theorized that because owl-faced monkeys exist in small social groups in dense cover with abundant food, they can exist within small home ranges. Leopards, golden cats and human hunters are all threats to the owl-faced monkey, human hunters with dogs being the greatest threat (Kingdon, 1997). Such threats have lead the diurnal owl-faced monkey to be extremely cautious, especially because they must feed and travel most commonly via terrestrial means (Kingdon, 1997). Kingdon (1997) described the "most impressive" males as being "intensely protective."
The means of communication for owl-faced monkeys is vocal and olfactory (Kingdon, 1997). Owl-faced monkeys of both sexes and all ages scent mark with secretions from their apocrine chest glands (Rowe, 1996; Kingdon, 1997). Kingdon (1997) explained that such continual scent marking behavior is necessary for the owl-faced monkey to maintain their small home ranges in spite of the of the dense, continually changing and very wet environment (over 1,250mm of rainfall a year). Owl-faced monkeys also emit various vocalizations that successfully aid cohesion and orientation amidst their habitat's conditions without alerting the mentioned predators (Kingdon, 1997). Kingdon (1997) described the female "want call" as a "whimpering quaver" and the male "rallying call" as a "deep boom." Owl-faced monkey infants have quieter vocalizations as compared to other species infant calls (Kingdon, 1997).
The owl-faced monkey birth season is May-October in The Democratic Republic of Congo (Rowe, 1996). Bateman (1984) stated that guenon gestation periods range from 5 to 6 months.
Adaptations
Aiding their indetectability, owl-faced monkeys have a nearly monotone coat and a comparably discrete facial pattern, unlike other guenons who use their facial patterns to aid in visual communication (Kingdon, 1997). In patterns of locomotion, the owl-faced monkeys is considered both terrestrial and arboreal, described by Kingdon (1997) as a "climber/walker", a combination of gentle monkey (C. mitis or Blue Monkey) and mountain monkey (C. lhoesti or L'Hoesti's Monkey) foraging strategy with a unique ability for slow, vertical climbing. The hands and feet of the owl-faced monkey are comparably unique with elongated phalanges (Kingdon, 1997). Kingdon (1997) described this trait an arboreal trait that when combined with their considerable thumb strength, allows the owl-faced monkey a powerful grip useful for traveling wet bamboo.
This map table provides illustrations of Owl-faced monkey distribution combined with other elements of consideration such as geography, parks and human presence. To view the various maps click on the corresponding map buttons.
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| Owl-Faced Monkey Presence | |
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| Human Presence | |
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