Siesta
by Deena Stoddard
Title
Siesta
Artist
Deena Stoddard
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Two types of black-and-white colobus monkeys are found in Kenya, those that inhabit coastal forests and those in inland, high-country areas.
The name colobus is derived from the Greek word for mutilated, because unlike other monkeys, colobus monkeys do not have thumbs. Their beautiful black fur strongly contrasts with the long white mantle, whiskers, bushy tail, and beard around the face. The Eastern black-and-white is distinguishable by a U-shaped cape of white hair running from the shoulders to lower back, whereas the Angolan black-and-white has white hairs flaring out only at the shoulders.
Colobus monkeys are strictly leaf-eaters and spend most of their time in treetops, preferring to eat the tender, young leaves found there. However, their complex stomachs enable them to digest mature or toxic foliage that other monkeys cannot. It rarely descends to the ground and uses branches as trampolines, jumping up and down on them to get liftoff for leaps of up to 50 feet. Colobus monkeys leap up and then drop downward, falling with outstretched arms and legs to grab the next branch. Their mantle hair and tails are believed to act as a parachute during these long leaps.
Colobus monkeys live in troops of about five to 10 animals - a dominant male, several females, and their young. Each troop has a well-defined territory, which is defended from other groups. Adult troop members, especially males, make croaking roars that can be heard resonating throughout the forest. Despite their territorial nature, fighting over mates rarely occurs.
At one time, the colobus was hunted excessively for its beautiful fur. Its skin has been used to make dance costumes, hats, and capes. As human populations are growing and expanding, forests are cut down to make room for agriculture, settlements, and roads. The colobus monkey is losing its home as these developments progress.
All images © 2011-2020 Deena Stoddard ~ All Rights Reserved
Uploaded
October 5th, 2013
Statistics
Viewed 339 Times - Last Visitor from Wilmington, DE on 03/11/2024 at 3:33 AM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Comments (17)
Andrea Lazar
A sweet image of this beautiful animal. And thank you for all the wonderful information that makes me appreciate your work even more. v/f
Randy Rosenberger
He surely has the right idea, Deena, good day for a snooze. LOL It is an honor and a privilege as an administrator of one of the top groups on FAA, our Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group, to promote and highlight your awesome artworks on our homepage in one of the prestigious positions, on our group Featuring HOMEPAGE! Your artworks show your love of what you do, and is refined to where we not only accept and promote your fine works, but welcome that opportunity. It is a pleasure to have you as a member of our family of friends and fine artists in the WFS group. Thanks for sharing! Liked Forever, Elvis
HH Photography
What a great capture of this little guy/gal taking a nap. Love how it's got the hands folded under it's head. Neat photo, Deena. v11/fv