Hobbies And Interests
Diet
Golden leaf monkeys are herbivores, and eat young and mature leaves, seeds, buds, flowers, fruit, and bark. They enjoy some fruits that are not edible by humans. The majority of its food has high concentrations of tannic acids and other substances that are poisonous to humans and other animals.
Behavior
This primate is remarkably secretive and was first found by the scientific community in the 1950s, therefore, little is known about its behavior. Modern research suggests that golden leaf monkeys are social and live in groups of between five to 50 members. One male takes charge of each group and attaches himself to select females.
Appearance
The hair of the golden leaf monkey is a rich gold to a bright yellowish-cream color, with a gray stripe that runs from the back to the thighs, which forms a V-shape above the tail. Its face is black, and the back and shoulders are covered in dark brown to black hair, which forms a shoulder cape. The golden leaf monkey has an exceptionally long tail, measuring 20 inches. Its long tail enables it to safely balance itself while leaping from the branches of trees. Infants have hair that is flamboyant orange.
Habitat
Golden leaf monkeys live in dry, cool forests. tropical dry forests, and tropical grasslands and rainforests. They tend to migrate around limestone formations and sleep in caves year-round. One group uses 12 different caves, spending one or two nights in the same cave and moving on to a new one. Research indicates that golden leaf monkeys can endure varying changes within their habitat and adjust appropriately for their survival.
Threats
Unfortunately, the golden leaf monkey is listed as endangered because of a steep decline in its population. Because of a reduction in its habitat, estimates are that its numbers have been reduced by more than 50 percent over the last 30 years, with fewer than 2,500 mature individuals and a high juvenile mortality rate. Habitat destruction is a result of hunting dogs, electrocution from power lines, illegal wood cutting, crop plantations, grazing, the harvesting of vegetation, logging and timber collection, human settlement, and local trade in live animals as exhibitions and for sale as pets.