Grey-cheeked Mangabey

The grey-cheeked crested mangabey usually feeds high in the forest canopy, on a diet of fruit, seeds and nuts, as well as buds, shoots, leaves and flowers. Invertebrates, such as ants, ant larvae and caterpillars, are also taken, with individuals often breaking open hollow branches or rotten wood in search of this prey, and adult males have also occasionally been recorded preying on small mammals. Large incisors allow the grey-cheeked crested mangabey to crack open hard nuts, and cheek pouches enable food to be collected to be eaten later. Grey-cheeked crested mangabey troops typically average around 15 individuals, led by a dominant male. Breeding appears to occur year-round, with a single young born after a gestation period of nearly six months. Female grey-cheeked crested mangabeys show a conspicuous pink sexual swelling when they are ready to mate. The lifespan of the grey-cheeked crested mangabey varies according to diet; groups that consistently feed on hard nuts wear their teeth down faster and die sooner than those with softer diets.