In Kenya, monkeys may not be as prominent as other wildlife, but they play a unique ecological role in Africa. Several monkey species inhabit diverse ecosystems across the country, and during our trip, we encountered three of them.
One of these is the Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), characterized by its gray fur, black face, and distinctive white forehead band. Vervet monkeys are highly adaptable and can thrive in a range of habitats, including forests, savannas, and urban areas. As omnivores, they consume a varied diet of fruits, leaves, flowers, seeds, insects, and small vertebrates. They often gather near water sources, making rivers and lakes their common habitats.
Another species we observed is the baboon, known for its versatility and adaptability. Baboons are found across various environments, including savannas, woodlands, and even near urban areas. Their omnivorous diet includes fruits, leaves, seeds, insects, and occasionally human food in urban settings.
The most unique species we encountered was the colobus monkey, or Mantled guereza. This monkey is distinguished by its striking black and white fur, long tail, and a thumb that has evolved into a small fleshy ball (hence the name “wart”). Colobus monkeys inhabit the lush forests of Kenya, primarily in the central and western regions, and are herbivores, mainly feeding on leaves and fruits.
As I observed these agile and charming monkeys, I couldn’t help but wonder at what point in their evolution they diverged from our ancestors, ultimately becoming subjects of human fascination and entertainment.
在肯尼亚，猴子不像其他动物那样受欢迎，但它们在非洲确实具有独特的生态作用。 肯尼亚有多种猴子栖息在不同的生态系统中，但我们在旅途中只遇到了三种。
其中之一是黑长尾猴（Chlorocebus pygerythrus）。 它们有灰色的皮毛、黑色的脸和白色的额带，适应各种栖息地，包括森林、稀树草原和城市地区。 黑长尾猴是杂食性的，吃水果、树叶、花朵、种子、昆虫和小型脊椎动物。它们经常聚集在水源附近，河流和湖泊是它们经常栖息的地方。
另一种是狒狒，随处可见且适应性强，分布在各种栖息地，包括稀树草原、林地，甚至城市附近。 它们的饮食是杂食性的，吃水果、树叶、种子、昆虫，甚至在城市环境中吃人类的食物。
最独特的是东非疣猴。它有其与众不同的黑白皮毛、长尾巴和大拇指退化成为一个小肉球 （故称为疣）。 它们栖息在肯尼亚茂密的森林中，主要分布在中部和西部地区。 疣猴是草食动物，以树叶和水果为食。
我不禁思考，那些敏捷可爱的猴子是在什么时候、如何偏离了智人的进化，而成为人类娱乐的对象。
Please click thumbnail to enlarge photo and start photo show 请点击缩略图放大照片并开始照片展览
