Mammals diurnal

Red-eared Monkey

Cercopithecus erythrotis

Draped in a palette of slate-gray and vivid russet, the Red-eared Monkey is a jewel of the West African canopy. These elusive primates are best known for their striking blue faces and the fiery red ears that give them their name.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Body length of 35-45 cm (14-18 in) with a tail reaching 50-60 cm (20-24 in); weight ranges from 3-4.5 kg (6.6-10 lbs).

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Colors

Agouti grayish-brown fur with a white belly; features bright russet-red ears and a red tail tip, with blue skin around the eyes and yellow cheek whiskers.

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Key Features

Distinctive brick-red or russet fur on the ears and the distal half of the tail
Vivid light blue skin surrounding the eyes and muzzle
Bright yellowish or white cheek patches
Small, slender build with an exceptionally long tail for balance

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6:30-9:30 AM and 3:30-6:00 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily frugivorous (fruit-eating), but they supplement their diet with young leaves, shoots, and protein-rich insects found among the foliage.

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Habitat Subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, particularly in primary and secondary growth areas with dense canopy cover.

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Behavior

The Red-eared Monkey is a highly social and active primate, typically found in small family groups consisting of a single dominant male and several females with their offspring. They are masters of the mid-to-upper canopy, rarely descending to the forest floor. These monkeys are known for their 'quiet' nature compared to other guenons, often communicating through subtle chirps and facial expressions rather than loud vocalizations, which helps them evade predators in their dense forest habitats.

Interactions with humans are generally limited due to their shy nature and preference for deep forest interiors. However, they are vital to their ecosystem as seed dispersers. Their daily routine involves a morning period of intense foraging followed by a midday rest, usually spent grooming one another to reinforce social bonds. They are often seen in 'polyspecific' associations, hanging out near other monkey species to increase the number of eyes watching for eagles and leopards.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Red-eared Monkey requires a strategy that moves away from the ground and into the trees. Because these monkeys are strictly arboreal, mounting your camera at a height of 10 to 15 feet (3-5 meters) is essential. Look for 'highways'—horizontal branches that connect large fruit trees—as these are the paths they use daily. Use heavy-duty straps to secure the camera and ensure it is angled slightly downward to capture the movement across the branch rather than just the sky.

Since these primates move quickly through the canopy, camera settings are critical. Set your trigger speed to the fastest possible setting (ideally 0.2 seconds or less) to avoid capturing only a trailing tail. High-definition video mode (20-30 seconds) is far superior to still photos for this species, as it allows you to observe their social interactions and unique grooming behaviors which are often missed in a single frame.

Baiting is generally not recommended for wild primates, but placing your camera near a naturally fruiting tree, such as a wild fig (Ficus) or Uapaca, acts as a natural magnet. These trees provide the best opportunity for clear, stationary shots while the monkeys are busy feeding. Ensure your camera's PIR (Passive Infrared) sensitivity is set to high, as their small body mass and the distance from the lens can sometimes make them harder to detect than larger ground mammals.

Lastly, be mindful of the lighting. The dense forest canopy often creates high-contrast environments with bright spots and deep shadows. If your camera has an 'HDR' or 'Auto-ISO' feature, enable it to help balance the exposure. During the rainy season, ensure your housing is perfectly sealed, as the humidity in the Red-eared Monkey's native range can easily fog lenses and damage electronics.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Red-eared Monkey.

Red-tailed Monkey

Features a prominent white, heart-shaped spot on the nose and lacks the distinct blue facial skin of the red-eared variety.

Moustached Monkey

Has a distinctive white 'mustache' mark above the upper lip and lacks the bright red ears.

Putty-nosed Monkey

Larger in size with a very obvious white 'putty' spot on the nose and a much darker overall coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Red-eared Monkey is diurnal, meaning it is active during the day. You are most likely to spot them during their peak foraging hours in the early morning shortly after sunrise and in the late afternoon before they retreat to their sleeping trees at dusk.

In their native range in Nigeria or Cameroon, the best way to attract Red-eared Monkey is to preserve native fruiting trees and maintain a dense, multi-layered garden that mimics a forest edge. They are very shy, so providing a safe, quiet environment without domestic pets is key.

They have a diverse diet consisting mostly of tropical fruits, but they also consume seeds, flowers, and insects. During seasons when fruit is scarce, they rely more heavily on young leaves and soft plant shoots.

No, they are quite rare in suburban settings. They are currently listed as Vulnerable and are mostly confined to protected forest fragments and national parks due to their sensitivity to habitat loss and human encroachment.

While both have red in their names, the Red-eared Monkey has distinct russet-colored fur specifically on its ears and a blue tint to the skin on its face, whereas the Red-tailed Monkey has a more prominent white heart-shaped spot on its nose.

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