Primate Observation Colobus

Primate Observation/ Zoo Project

I observed the Colobus at the Los Angeles Zoo. There were many primates to choose from but the Colobus caught my attention because there was howling coming from their enclosure and it drew me into them. Although I barely caught some of them howling they soon reduced the shouting and excitement and soon after they completely stopped. This is when I began to observe the Colobus'.

First off there were six specimens. The enclosure which was about ten to twelve feet deep and about twenty-five to thirty feet wide in a slightly curved angle had many plants and trees in it. The enclosure had trees with branches that were not too thick but the branches seemed to spread out about the enclosure. There was a hammock like object up top in the back of the enclosure that was made out of some thick fabric material and dark greenish in color. There was also a small rope ladder on the left side of the hammock. At the very left of the enclosure was an area that was hard to get a good view of. I believe there was a type of swing there. It also was the entrance for the zoo keeper to bring in the food, which I had the chance of watching during my observation. The ground area was normal dirt ground. There was another animal in the enclosure right next to the Colobus which may have started the commotion.

The six Colobus are scientifically named Colobus Guereza Kikuyuensis. The name Colobus is Greek. It is Ekolobose which means "he cut short." The name refers to the thumb of the animals. The thumb is pretty much a stump. It was interesting to see the Colobus maneuver because of this short thumb. They do not have any difficulties climbing or running along the branches. They do it with much ease. They also leap a lot, almost jumping from branch to branch. Once they settle they sit on their rear where they have a slightly padded rear end. The Colobus