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I've never seen them KNP. Rumour has it that they're still seen rarely.

During a trip to *** in July I snapped this one. He seems to be lighter in colour than the norm - maybe some albino genes?




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[Edited by W@H]Removal of name as not part of SANParks

Samango Monkey
(Cercopithecus mitis)

Ger: Diadem Meerkatze.
Fre: Cercopitheque a diademe.
Afr: Samango-aap.
Xho: Intsimango.
Zul: Insimango.

Mass: 3,5-12 kg.
Head & body length: 43-70 cm.
Tail length: 66-87 cm.
ID Pointers:
- Grizzled blue-grey to reddish blue-grey long coarse hair.
- Blue-black face.
- Brown-black limbs & tail.
- Infants have pink faces.
Predators:
1. Leopard.
2. Python.
3. Crested Eagle.
4. Crowned Eagle.
Scent glands: None.
Senses: Very good.

DISTRIBUTION IN KNP:
Rare. Only occur marginally along the Luvuvhu River in the Pafuri area.

BEHAVIOUR:
Diurnal. Mainly arboreal. Troops are from 15-40 members, consisting of a dominant male, females, young & sometimes subordinate males. Troops are territorial, ranges of 0,1-1 km2 are defended. Females stay with their troops, while males move from troop to troop & they occasionally kill infants, to put females into oestrus. Enjoy lying in the sun & grooming themselves & other troop members. Often associate themselves with vervet monkey troops.
Calls: Croaks, grunts, growls, deep booms, loud 'pyow' barks, chirps & clicks.

REPRODUCTION:
A single infants of 400 g is born after a gestation of 4,5 months. Breeding in summer.

FOOD:
Fruit, seeds, leaves, flowers, sprouts, buds, gum, insects & small mammals. Water dependant.

HABITAT:
Rain-forests, secondary forests, woodlands & woodland savanna.

Sources:
- Field Guide to the mammals of the Kruger National Park by Heike Schutze.
- Field Guide to the larger mammals of Africa by Chris & Tilde Stuart.

Found in the following SANParks:
- Kruger National Park.

Hi Johan. I am not in a position to cast doubt upon your ID of a Samango Monkey - as I am not sure about the ones I saw in Kenya (near Mombasa) whether it were Samangos (don't know if you find them there). In spite of what you say about the possible albino genes, the features just do not look typical "Samango" to me (looking at photos in various publications). Can you fill us in where the pictures were taken? (***???).

Hello Stoffel,

This post was edited by a mod to remove the place name originally posted because it was in a park not part of SANParks (a forum rule). Geographically the unmentionable place is situated on the KZN coast about 100 km north of Richard bay.

I am pleased that you also find the appearance of this monkey strange, at least different enough to raise questions regarding the possibility of it being something else than Samango. But what can the explanation be? The monkey was accompanied by a huge troop of Samagos that all have the typical Samango features, why just him with the differences. It is certainly not a vervet monkey. So, what do you think?

I like the way it stares at us...

JVR, I think it is a samango with leucism.

Johan

Reading all your information, then it can be nothing else than a Samango. It just does not look like the pictures I've seen of them. As mentioned I'm not even sure whether the ones I saw (as mentioned in my post) are indeed Samango monkeys as I have never seen them in South Africa.

Back from our SA holiday last November. We stayed at a hotel at Magoebaskloof pass near Tzaneen. This was our daily visitor:




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@johann,

Why was the Place erased, where you have seen this monkey? That doesn´t make sense to me. Sometimes we are talking about sightings in other countries, defenatly not SAN PARKS. I haven´t understand it!

Best regards malealea

p.S. This animal looks strange I woulg go for an Albino Samango

Hi there Malealea.

The forum has certain rules that we all have to abide by.Please check the rules, or ask one of the mods for an explenation, I am sure they will be able to assist you

@MU

Of course rules exiat, but I´m just scrutinize this rule. Because it doesn´t make any sense. Anyway I will except the rules of course, but an explination would be great. Just or a better understanding!

Malealea, this site has been created by SANParks, as a marketingtool.
They do not want free advertising for places which are in the same line of business.

And as they are the owners, they can set the rules, and did. However, they are lenient. So while not all the posts are strictly in SANParks managed parks but ontopic, like on birds (they can't be fenced in!), we allow them, but without location...

Ok I understand it now. It make sense But I haven´t thuoght about it! but you are defenatly right! Its all about earning money, isn´t it!!!


Thanks for the information

We have some really awesome pictures of a baby Samango, beautiful creature. Does anyone know much about their diet in the wild please?