Black monkeys, a diverse group within the primate family, inhabit various regions across the globe, exhibiting a rich array of behaviors and adaptations. Among these, the black-faced black spider monkey (Ateles paniscus chamek) and the black colobus monkey (Colobus satanas) are particularly notable.
The black-faced black spider monkey, studied in Peru’s Manu National Park, showcases significant ecological roles such as seed dispersal, with a diet predominantly comprising fruits and new leaves. This species demonstrates a complex social structure and substantial mobility across its habitat.
Similarly, the black colobus monkey, residing in the Lopé Reserve, Central Gabon, has been observed to thrive in both logged and primary forests, with its population stability suggesting a resilience to certain habitat disturbances, though hunting remains a significant threat.
These studies illuminate black monkeys’ ecological importance and conservation challenges, underscoring the necessity of integrated efforts to ensure their survival and well-being.
Black Monkeys
There are 113 different species of monkeys, each with unique characteristics and adaptations, inhabiting diverse ecosystems around the world. Let’s explore them one-by-one.
Agile Mangabey
Species Name: Cercocebus agilisSkin Color(s): Golden brown, gray, dark brown or soft Black
The Agile Mangabey is another Old-World monkey of the White-Eylid Mangabey group mainly found in swampy forests. Due to habitat loss, mangabeys are now listed as endangered, both male and female.
Alta Floresta Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus grovesiSkin Color(s): Red, brow, gray or Black
The Alta Floresta titi is a distinct but unnamed form of titi (Plecturocebus) rediscovered in 2011 in Chapada dos Parecis, a plateau in the far south of the Brazilian state of Rondônia. This species lives exclusively between the Teles-Pires and Juruena rivers in Mato Grosso.
Amazon Black Howler
Species Name: Alouatta nigerrimaSkin Color(s): Black
Amazon Black Howler is a New World tropical arboreal characterized by densely furry, prehensile tails, all-black faces, a stocky build, relatively large size, and loud howls. According to researchers, its howl sounds like a strong wind blowing through a tunnel can be heard more than two miles away.
Andean Saddle-back Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus leucogenysSkin Color(s): Bright orange, Black, or white
The Andean saddle tamarin, also known as the saddleback tamarin (formerly known as the brown-mantled tamarin), is a New World monkey species. Andean saddleback monkeys are considered "phyletic dwarfs," meaning their small size is related to their evolutionary development.
Angolan Colobus
Species Name: Colobus angolensisSkin Color(s): Glossy Black
The Angolan Colobus is a conspicuously-patterned monkey with a very long tail that helps it maintain its balance as it moves quickly through the trees. Although the species is named after Angola, it's rare in this country.
Ashy Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus tephroscelesSkin Color(s): Black, dark grey, reddish brown
The Ashy-red Colobus or Ugandan red Colobus is an endangered species of red Colobus endemic to Eastern Africa. Like other colobus monkeys, Ashy Red has small thumbs that allow it to comfortably grip branches and swing nimbly through the canopy. In 2001, the ashy-red Colobus was recognized as a separate species.
Banded Langur
Species Name: Presbytis femoralisSkin Color(s): Black
The Banded langur, also known as the Raffles' banded langur or banded leaf monkey, is a primate species in the Cercopithecidae family. Like other Colobin monkeys, whose young typically have lighter-colored fur than adults, Banded langur infants have white or tan fur until it darkens around 6 months.
Black and White Langur
Species Name: Presbytis bicolorSkin Color(s): Black and white
The black-and-white langur is a primate species in the Cercopithecidae family. It was formerly thought to be a subspecies of the Presbytis melalophos (black-crested Sumatran langur). Still, the genetic analysis indicated they were separate species.
Black Bearded Saki
Species Name: Chiropotes satanasSkin Color(s): Black
The black-bearded saki is a species of bearded saki, a species of New World monkey, one of the five remaining monkeys of its kind. Another striking feature is its signature beards. This species prefers primary rainforest, where lush tree canopies provide a relatively safe area out of sight and out of reach of several predators.
Black Capuchin
Species Name: Sapajus nigritusSkin Color(s): Black, Brown
The black capuchin, also called the black-horned capuchin, is a capuchin monkey native to the Atlantic rainforest of southeastern Brazil and extreme northeastern Argentina. The black capuchin was originally called Cebus nigritus or Cebus apella nigritus. Although this has changed, many sources still name the black capuchin as part of the Cebus genus.
Black colobus
The black colobus, also known as satanic black colobus, is a species of Old-World monkey in the Colobus genus. The black colobus is the oldest of the 5 recognized species in the genus Colobus and is said to have diverged 3 to 4 million years ago.
Black Howler monkey
Species Name: Alouatta carayaSkin Color(s): Black or yellow-brown
Alouatta caraya is found in the tropical rain forests of central South America, extending through eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina. Alouatta Caraya monkeys are sexually dimorphic, with males weighing an average of 6.7 kg and females an average of 4.4 kg.
Black Lion Tamarin
Species Name: Leontopithecus chrysopygusSkin Color(s): Black
The black lion tamarin, also called the golden-rumped lion tamarin, is a lion tamarin native to the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, almost exclusively in Morro do Diabo State Park. Its limited geographic range makes it the rarest of the New-World monkeys.
Black Snub-nosed Monkey
Species Name: Rhinopithecus bietiSkin Color(s): Black
The black-and-white snub-nosed monkey, also called the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, is a large black-and-white primate living only in Yunnan Province in southern China, where it is known to the local population as the Yunnan golden-haired monkey. The species gets the "snub-nosed" part of its name due to its lack of nasal bones.
Black Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles paniscusSkin Color(s): Jet-Black
Ateles paniscus, the black spider monkey, is one of three sub-species of spider monkeys. Aside from the face, feet, and hands, they are covered in jet-black hair longer than a typical primate. Of all the Ateles species, Ateles paniscus is the largest.
Black Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus nigerSkin Color(s): Blackish-brown
Also known as western black-handed tamarind, the black tamarind is a species of tamarin native to Brazil. Black tamarind uses primary and secondary forests during foraging, primarily attaching itself to the canopy and spending little time on the ground.
Black Titi
Species Name: Cheracebus lugensSkin Color(s): Black and dark brown
The Black Titi (Cheracebus lugens) is a species of Titi, a New World monkey endemic to South America. It is found in Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil. It is also known as White-chested Titi.
Black-crested mangabey
Species Name: Lophocebus aterrimusSkin Color(s): Black
Black-crested mangabeys, also known as black mangabeys, are endemic to central Africa, occupying the Democratic Republic of the Congo, south of the Congo River (formerly known as the Zaire River), and likely extinct in Angola. They are mainly found in primary and secondary tropical forests, gallery forests, and swamps. Locals nicknamed these primates "baboon mangabeys" due to their resemblance to the baboon species.
Black-headed Night Monkey
Species Name: Aotus nigricepsSkin Color(s): Grey-Black
The black-headed night monkey is a nocturnal monkey species native to South America. The monkeys are small primates about the size of a small squirrel. The black-headed night monkeys in Peru have mainly inhabited degraded areas.
Black-Headed Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles fuscicepsSkin Color(s): Brown
The black-headed spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps) is a species of New-World monkey native to Central and South America. The species name "Ateles" is derived from the Greek word "ateleia" meaning imperfect or incomplete. It was likely chosen because these monkeys do not have a thumb. There are 2 additional sub-species of black-headed spider monkey namely Brown-headed spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps fusciceps) and Colombian spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps rufiventris).
Black-mantled Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus nigricollisSkin Color(s): Black
The black-mantled tamarin is a saddleback tamarin native to northwestern Amazonia in far western Brazil, eastern Ecuador, southeastern Colombia, and northeastern Peru. Leontocebus nigricollis live in small multi-male and multi-female social groups of 4 to 12 and occupy 30 to 50 hectares.
Booted Macaque
Species Name: Macaca ochreataSkin Color(s): Deep Black, dark red to tan
The booted macaque is a macaque native to Indonesia's Sulawesi Island. This Old-World monkey is diurnal, spending most of the day in trees. A booted macaque monkey's body mass is determined by its sex, with males significantly larger than females.
Brazilian Bare-Faced Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus bicolorSkin Color(s): Brown, Black, or silver
The pied tamarin, also known as the pied bare-faced tamarin or Brazilian bare-faced tamarin, has one of the smallest home ranges of any primate in the world, located in and around the port city of Manaus.
Brown-mantled Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus fuscicollisSkin Color(s): Bright orange, Black, or white
The brown-mantled tamarin also called the Spix's saddleback tamarin, is a species of saddleback tamarin native to South America. The species are considered "phyletic dwarfs," meaning their small size is linked to their evolutionary development.
Buffy-tufted Marmoset
Species Name: Callithrix auritaSkin Color(s): Gray-Black
The buffy-tufted marmoset, also called the white-eared marmoset or buffy-tufted-ear marmoset is a New World monkey living in the forests of the Atlantic coast of southeastern Brazil. Unlike most marmoset monkeys, buffy-tufted-ear marmosets are mainly insectivorous, although their diet is generally carnivorous.
Capped Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus pileatusSkin Color(s): Gray, brown, or Black
The capped langur is a type of monkey in the Cercopithecidae family. These langurs can vary in appearance. This Asian primate gets its name from the thick hairs on the top of the head, typically gray or black.
Cat Ba Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus poliocephalusSkin Color(s): Black or dark brown
The white-headed langur, also called the Cat Ba langur, is an endangered species of langur native to Guangxi, China. Cat Ba langurs are comfortable in trees or ground but prefer steep cliffs where humans can't set foot.
Collared Titi
Species Name: Cheracebus torquatusSkin Color(s): Reddish brown or Black
The collared titi, also called the widow monkey, or yellow-handed monkey inhabits the lush rainforests of the Amazon and is typically found south of Río Negro and north of Río Solimões. Titi monkeys are often known to "duet" with each other, either between an adult female and an adult male, an adult female and her son, or an adult male and his daughter.
Colombian Black-handed Titi
Species Name: Cheracebus medemiSkin Color(s): Black
The Colombian Black-handed titi is a species of titi, a New World primate native to Colombia. The Colombian black-handed titi is a diurnal and arboreal monkey that prefers to live in dense forests near water.
Crested Black Macaque
Species Name: Macaca nigraSkin Color(s): Jet-Black
The Crested Black Macaque, also called the Sulawesi Crested Macaque or Celebes Crested Macaque is an Old World monkey native to the Tangkoko Game Reserve in the extreme northeast of the Indonesian island of Celebes (Sulawesi) and neighboring islets.
Cross Marked Langur
Species Name: Presbytis chrysomelasSkin Color(s): Gray-Black or brown
The Sarawak surili, also known as Cross-marked Langur, is a monkey species in the Cercopithecidae family. The Sarawak surili was once considered widespread but has declined significantly due to habitat and loss persecution.
Delacour’s Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus delacouriSkin Color(s): Black
The Delacour's langur, also known as Delacour's Lutung, is an endangered Lutung native to northern Vietnam. The species is named after Jean Théodore Delacour, a French-American ornithologist.
Diana Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus dianaSkin Color(s): Black-gray
The Diana monkey is an Old-World primate found in the high-canopy forests of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the western Ivory Coast. Diana monkeys get their name from the white crescent-shaped headband that resembles the crescent moon on the forehead of the Roman goddess Diana, protector of woodlands and wildlife.
Dusky Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus obscurusSkin Color(s): Gray, brown, or Black
Dusky langurs also known as spectacled langurs, spectacled leaf monkeys, and dusky leaf monkeys, are primarily found in the Malay Peninsula in Asia. White rings surrounding the deep, dark eyes give the species its alternative name, the spectacled monkey or spectacled langur, for a "bespectacled" look.
East Sumatran Banded Langur
Species Name: Presbytis percuraSkin Color(s): Black
The East Sumatran banded langur also called the East Sumatran banded surili are primarily found in the fragmented landscape of pulp and rubber plantations. These surilis are shy and alert creatures, rarely leaving the comfort of their canopies.
Eastern Black-handed Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus ursulaSkin Color(s): Black
The Eastern black-handed marmoset (Saguinus ursulus) is a species of marmoset native to Brazil. These tamarins are mainly covered in jet-black fur, with only a small area around the nose and eyes and most hairless ears.
Foa’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus foaiSkin Color(s): Red and Black
Foa's Red Colobus or Central African red colobus is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Generally, these African primates are found in large groups of 20 to 90 individuals.
François’ Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus francoisiSkin Color(s): Black
The François langur, also called the white side-burned black langur, François leaf monkey, or Tonkin leaf monkey is a species of Lutung and the type species of its species group. The François langur is among the least studied langur species.
Geoffroy’s Monk Saki
Species Name: Pithecia monachusSkin Color(s): Black
Geoffroy's monk saki, also called monk saki, is a species of saki monkey, a New-World primate native to South America. A monk saki is one of seven species of New-World arboreal monkeys with a bushy, feathery tail.
Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles geoffroyiSkin Color(s): Black, brown, or reddish
Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) also called the Central American spider monkey or black-handed spider monkey, is a species of spider monkey. The species name geoffroyi is honored by Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, a French naturalist. The Geoffroy's spider monkey consists of five recognized subspecies residing in various parts of Central America and Mexico. These include the Hooded spider monkey (A. g. grisescens) in southern Mexico, the ornately-patterned Ornate spider monkey (A. g. ornatus) in Costa Rica and Panama, the Yucatan spider monkey (A. g. yucatanensis) in the Yucatan Peninsula, the Mexican spider monkey (A. g. vellerosus) in Veracruz, and the nominate Nicaraguan spider monkey subspecies (A. g. geoffroyi) found in Nicaragua, Honduras and northern Costa Rica.
Geoffroy’s Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus geoffroyiSkin Color(s): Black-brown-yellow
Geoffroy's tamarin, also called the Panamanian tamarin, red-crested tamarin, or rufous-naped marmoset tamarin, is a tamarin, a small monkey found in Colombia and Panama. In what may seem like a role reversal in many monkey species, Geoffroy's tamarins are led by the oldest female in a group.
Germain’s Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus germainiSkin Color(s): Black
Germain's Langur is a lutung species endemic to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Burma. Germain's langur is a terrestrial tree-dwelling species occasionally found in lowlands.
Goeldi’s Marmoset
Species Name: Callimico goeldiiSkin Color(s): Black or dark brown
Goeldi marmoset or Goeldi monkey is a small South American New-World monkey living in the upper Amazon basin region of Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. Goeldi marmosets generally stay less than 5 meters from the forest floor, moving to higher elevations for fruit.
Golden-Bellied Mangabey
Species Name: Cercocebus chrysogasterSkin Color(s): Brown, Black, white, or gray
The golden-bellied mangabey (Cercocebus chrysogaster) is a gregarious Old-World monkey found in humid, swampy forests south of the Congo River. Golden-bellied mangabeys are a migratory and social species, moving in groups of 8 to 30 members.
Golden-faced Saki
Species Name: Pithecia chrysocephalaSkin Color(s): Black
The golden-faced saki (Pithecia chrysocephala) is a New World monkey found on the northern side of the Amazon on both sides of the Rio Negro in Brazil. This species was previously classified as a subspecies of white-faced saki (Pithecia pithecia) but was upgraded to full species status in 2014.
Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin
Species Name: Leontopithecus chrysomelasSkin Color(s): Black
The golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas), also known as the golden-headed tamarin, is a lion tamarin native to Brazil. It is only found in fragments of lowland and premontane forests in the state of Bahia and is therefore considered an endangered species.
Gorontalo Macaque
Species Name: Macaca nigrescensSkin Color(s): Black
The Gorontalo macaque (Macaca nigrescens), also called the Dumoga-bone macaque, is a species of the primate of the Cercopithecidae family. It is native to the Sulawesi Island of Indonesia.
Greater Spot-Nosed Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus nictitansSkin Color(s): Olive to Black
The greater spot-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans), also called the greater white-nosed monkey, putty-nosed monkey, and white-nosed guenons, is among the smallest Old-World monkeys. Great spot-nosed monkeys have a polygamous mating system in which a resident adult male coexists with multiple adult females and their young.
Guianan Saki
Species Name: Pithecia pitheciaSkin Color(s): Black to brownish-gray
The white-faced saki (Pithecia pithecia), also known as the golden-faced saki, Guianan saki, and Guyana saki, is a New World saki monkey species. Typically, they have a lifespan of around 14 years in the wild and have lived up to 36 years in captivity.
Hairy Saki
Species Name: Pithecia hirsutaSkin Color(s): Black
The hairy saki (Pithecia hirsuta) is a species of saki monkey, a New World primate species. The species was identified by Johann Baptist von Spix in 1823 but later merged with the Mönk saki (P. monachus). Then, a 2014 study revived it as a separate species due to differences in fur coloration.
Hatinh Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus hatinhensisSkin Color(s): Black
The Hatinh langur (Trachypithecus hatinhensis) is a critically endangered Old World monkey found in the limestone forests of Vietnam, particularly in Quảng Bình province. Contrary to their common name, the Hatinh langur is not known from the province of Hà Tĩnh.
Heck’s Macaque
Species Name: Macaca heckiSkin Color(s): Silky Black
The Heck's Macaque (Macaca hecki) is a macaque native to Sulawesi, Indonesia. This Old-World monkey is diurnal. Due to their frugivorous diet, Heck's macaques will likely act as seed dispersers throughout their habitat.
Humboldt’s Night Monkey
Species Name: Aotus trivirgatusSkin Color(s): Black
The three-striped night monkey (Aotus trivirgatus), also known as the northern owl monkey, Humboldt's Night Monkey, or northern night monkey, is one of several currently recognized species of owl monkeys.
Humboldt’s Woolly Monkey
Species Name: Lagothrix lagothrichaSkin Color(s): Gray, Black, and brown
Humboldt's woolly monkey, common woolly monkey, or brown woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha) is a woolly monkey endemic to South America. Humboldt's woolly monkeys can show subtle mood swings and intentions with various facial expressions.
Indochinese Black Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus ebenusSkin Color(s): Black
The Indochinese black langur (Trachypithecus selbstus) is a little-known Lutung endemic to Laos and neighboring Vietnam. Because they live in dense forests and rarely venture outside, observing them in the wild can be difficult.
Isabel’s Saki
Species Name: Pithecia isabelaSkin Color(s): Black
Isabel's Saki (Pithecia isabela) is a New World monkey species, native to a small part of northern Peru. The species was named in honor of Isabel Godin des Odonais, an 18th-century Ecuadorian noblewoman who traveled across South America to find her husband.
King Colobus
Species Name: Colobus polykomosSkin Color(s): Black
The king colobus (Colobus polykomos), also called the western black and white colobus is a species of Old World monkey found in lowland and montane rainforests.
Lake Baptista Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus baptistaSkin Color(s): Black to gray
The Lake Baptista titi, Plecturocebus baptista, is a species of titi, a New World monkey native to Brazil. Lake Baptista Titi was initially described as Callicebus baptista in 1939.
Laotian Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus laotumSkin Color(s): Black
The Laotian langur (Trachypithecus laotum), also known as white-browed black langur, is another primate species that nest in small limestone caves and holes that shelter from predators, rain, and cold.
Lesson’s Saddle-Back Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus fuscusSkin Color(s): Black
Lesson's Saddle-Back Tamarin (Leontocebus fuscus) is a small New-world monkey endemic to South America. Its type locality is in Colombia, on the plains of Mocoa, Putumayo, between the Caquetá River and the Putumayo River.
Lion-Tailed Macaque
Species Name: Macaca silenusSkin Color(s): Black
The lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), also known as the wanderoo, is an Old World monkey native to the Western Ghats of South India. Lion-tailed macaques are diurnal and arboreal.
Mantled Guereza
Species Name: Colobus guerezaSkin Color(s): Black and white
The mantled guereza (Colobus guereza), also known as the guereza, Abyssinian black-and-white colobus, or eastern black-and-white colobus, is a black-and-white colobus, a species of Old World monkey. The mantled guerezas are typically diurnal.
Mantled Howler Monkey
Species Name: Alouatta palliataSkin Color(s): Black
The Mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) is a species of howler monkey, a New World monkey native to South and Central America. The species gets its name "mantled" from the long, protective hairs on its sides.
Maranhão Red-Handed Howler
Species Name: Alouatta ululataSkin Color(s): Black to deep reddish or yellowish
The Maranhão red-handed howler (Alouatta ululata) is native to forests (e.g., Babaçu forests) in the northeastern Brazilian states of Piauí, Maranhão, and Ceará. Red-handed howler monkeys are among the least studied species of all howler monkeys.
Martins’ Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus martinsiSkin Color(s): Brown, Black, or silver
Martin's tamarin (Saguinus martinsi) or Martin's ochraceous bare-faced tamarin, is native to Brazil. These tamarins are distinguished from other New World monkeys by their small size and modified claws instead of nails on all digits except the big toe.
Mentawai Langur
Species Name: Presbytis potenzianiSkin Color(s): Black
Mentawai Langur is also called the Long-Tailed Langur, and it is native to the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia. The pelage of Mentawai langur is medium length, longer on the back of the shoulders and anterior of the flanks and shorter on the face, neck, abdomen, and under the thighs.
Midas Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus midasSkin Color(s): Dark brown or Black
The Midas tamarin (Saguinus midas), also called the red-handed tamarin or golden-handed tamarin is a New-World monkey in the Callitrichidae family. Midas tamarin is also known as golden tamarin or red-handed tamarin. This attests to the remarkably vivid colors of the feet and hands.
Miller’s Saki
Species Name: Pithecia milleriSkin Color(s): Gray to grizzled Black
Miller's Saki (Pithecia milleri), also called Miller's monk saki, is a species of the saki family, a type of New World monkey. Miller's sakis are diurnal and quadrupedal leapers. They usually move on all fours but can be seen swinging bipedally on large branches before leaping to another tree.
Miss Waldron’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus waldronaeSkin Color(s): Black
Miss Waldron's red colobus (Piliocolobus waldronae) is endemic to West Africa. Miss Waldron's red colobus was discovered in December 1933 by Willoughby P. Lowe, a collector at the British Museum (Natural History).
Mittermeier’s Tapajós Saki
Species Name: Pithecia mittermeieriSkin Color(s): Black
Mittermeier's Tapajós Saki (Pithecia mittermeieri) is a disputed species of saki monkey, a type of New World monkey. Populations of this species were previously classified as Tapajós River saki (Pithecia irrorata). Still, a 2014 study described these populations as a separate species, Pithecia mittermeieri, based on their distinctive fur.
Mottle-faced Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus inustusSkin Color(s): Black
The Mottle-faced tamarin (Saguinus inustus) is endemic to South America. The Mottle-Faced tamarin monkey gets its name from its mottled face, which means their faces have spots.
Mount Kilimanjaro Guereza
Species Name: Colobus caudatusSkin Color(s): Black and white
The Mount Kilimanjaro guereza (Colobus caudatus) is one of the 7 subspecies of the mantled guereza. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania in the forests surrounding Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Moustached Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus mystaxSkin Color(s): Jet-Black
Moustached tamarins, also known as black-chested moustached tamarins and Spyx's moustached tamarins, are native to Peru and Brazil. These monkeys are found in all strata of the lowland Amazon rainforest. The moustached tamarin gets its name from the lack of coloration in the facial hair around the mouth, which resembles a mustache.
Myanmar Snub-nosed Monkey
Species Name: Rhinopithecus strykeriSkin Color(s): Black
The Myanmar snub-nosed monkey or black snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus strykeri) is an endangered Colobino monkey species discovered in northern Burma (Myanmar) in 2010. These Asian primates' tails are relatively long, usually around 1.4 times their body length.
Nilgiri Langur
Species Name: Semnopithecus johniiSkin Color(s): Black
The Nilgiri langur (Semnopithecus johnii), also called the black-leaf monkey, John's langur, and Indian hooded leaf monkey is a langur (a species of Old-World monkey) found in the Nilgiri foothills of the Western Ghats in southern India.
North Sumatran Leaf Monkey
Species Name: Presbytis thomasiSkin Color(s): Black
The North Sumatran leaf monkey (Presbytis thomasi), also called Thomas's langur, is a primate species in the Cercopithecidae family. The North Sumatran leaf monkeys spend most of the day in groups resting, moving, or feeding.
Ornate Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus ornatusSkin Color(s): Gray, brown, Black, and white
The ornate titi (Plecturocebus ornatus) is a species of titi and the smallest member of the Pitheciidae family, including the uakari and saki monkeys. Ornate titis have a monogamous mating system. A couple has a strong bond and stays together for years.
Oustalet’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus oustaletiSkin Color(s): Black, dark gray, to reddish-brown
(Piliocolobus oustaleti) is another species of red colobus that lives in various forest types in the southern Central African Republic, southern South Sudan, northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and northeastern Congo.
Panamanian White-faced Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus imitatorSkin Color(s): Black
The Panamanian white-faced capuchin (Cebus mimic), also called the Panamanian white-headed capuchin or the Central American white-faced capuchin is a mid-sized New World monkey in the Cebidae family. Native to Central American forests, the Panamanian white-faced capuchin is vital to rainforest ecology for its role in seed and pollen dispersal.
Peruvian Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles chamekSkin Color(s): Black
Peruvian spider monkeys, like other Ateles species, have a prehensile tail that can be used to facilitate brachiation. Typically, Peruvian spider monkeys have completely black fur and complexions, unlike the lighter red-faced black spider monkey.
Pig-tailed Langur
Species Name: Simias concolorSkin Color(s): Blackish-brown
The pig-tailed langur (Simias concolor), monotypic in the Simias genus, is a great Old-World monkey native to several small islands off Sumatra, Indonesia. Adult pig-tailed langurs have black faces and small, turned-up noses.
Pissinatti’s Bald-faced Saki
Species Name: Pithecia pissinattiiSkin Color(s): Black or orange
Pissinatti's Sakior or Pissinatti's bald-faced saki (Pithecia pissinattii), is a controversial species of saki monkey, a New World monkey. This species is named after Alcides Pissinatti, a Brazilian veterinarian who pioneered the breeding of endangered Brazilian primates.
Preuss’s Monkey
Species Name: Allochrocebus preussiSkin Color(s): Black
The Preuss's monkey (Allochrocebus preussi) also called the Preuss's guenon is a diurnal primate that inhabits terrestrial montane forests (up to 2,500 meters) in eastern Nigeria, western Cameroon, and Bioko in Equatorial Guinea.
Preuss’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus preussiSkin Color(s): Black
Preuss's red colobus (Piliocolobus preussi) is native to the Cross-Sanaga Rivers eco-region. These old-world monkeys are restricted to small areas in Cameroon and Nigeria but once occupied a much larger area.
Purple-faced Langur
Species Name: Semnopithecus vetulusSkin Color(s): Black to gray
The purple-faced langur (Semnopithecus vetulus), also called the purple-faced leaf monkey, is an Old World species native to Sri Lanka. The purple-faced langur is found in the closed forests of Sri Lanka's mountains and in the southwestern part of the country known as the 'wetland'.
Red-Chested Mustached Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus labiatusSkin Color(s): Dark brown or Black
The Red-chested mustached tamarin (Saguinus labiatus), also known as Red-bellied Tamarin, is a tamarin that lives in the Amazon region of Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. The red belly of these New World monkeys is their most striking external feature.
Robinson’s Banded Langur
Species Name: Presbytis robinsoniSkin Color(s): Black
Robinson's banded langur (Presbytis robinsoni), also known as Robinson's banded surili, is a monkey species in the Cercopithecidae family. Robinson Banded Langurs are generally shy and alert creatures, rarely leaving the comfort of the canopy.
Santarem Marmoset
Species Name: Mico humeraliferSkin Color(s): Black
The Santarem marmoset (Mico humeralifer), also called the black-and-white tassel marmoset, is a marmoset native to the Amazon and Pará states of Brazil. Santarem marmosets make long cries with their rapidly vibrating tongue, designed to sound like a cricket, and shorter chirps.
Schmidt’s Red-tailed Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus ascaniusSkin Color(s): Black, red, or orange
The Schmidt's red-tailed monkey, also called the red-tailed guenon, Schmidt's guenon, or black-cheeked white-nosed monkey is a primate species in the Cercopithecidae family. The Schmidt's red-tailed monkey is named for its red coloration on the underside of its tail, as well as the bicolor coloration of its tail as the reddish color increases from the base to the tip.
Semliki Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus semlikiensisSkin Color(s): Red and Black
The Semliki red colobus (Piliocolobus semlikiensis) is native to central Africa. The Semliki red colobus lives in the ironwood forest of the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo between the Rwenzori Mountains and the Semliki River valley.
Shortridge’s Capped Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus shortridgeiSkin Color(s): Gray, brown, or Black
The Shortridge's capped langur (Trachypithecus shortridgei) is a colobine primate inhabiting low to medium evergreen and semi-evergreen forests east of the Chindwin River in northeastern Myanmar and southwestern Myanmar, China, in the Nu and Dulong valleys.
Siberut Langur
Species Name: Presbytis siberuSkin Color(s): Jet Black
Siberut langurs are native to the islands of North Pagai, South Pagai, and Sipora. Siberut langurs spend over 80 percent of their time resting and foraging and only a tiny portion traveling and socializing.
Sierra De Perijá White-fronted Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus leucocephalusSkin Color(s): Black-brown
The Sierra de Perijá white-fronted capuchin monkey (Cebus leucocephalus) is a species of gracile capuchin monkey native to Venezuela and Colombia. The Sierra de Perijá white-fronted capuchin range is restricted to northwestern Venezuela and northern Colombia forests.
Tenasserim Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus barbeiSkin Color(s): Grayish Black
Tenasserim lutung (Trachypithecus barbei) is a species of lutung. It occurs in Thailand and Myanmar. The species derived its common name from the Tenasserim Hills.
Tonkean Macaque
Species Name: Macaca tonkeanaSkin Color(s): Black
Tonkean macaques also known as Tonkean black macaques, are endemic to the central part of the island of Sulawesi and the neighboring Togian Islands in Indonesia. Tonkea macaques are pretty intelligent and creative.
Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkey
Species Name: Rhinopithecus avunculusSkin Color(s): Black and white
The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, also known as the Dollman's snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus), is a slender-bodied Old World arboreal monkey native to northern Vietnam.
Udzungwa Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus gordonorumSkin Color(s): White and Black
The Udzungwa red colobus (Piliocolobus gordonorum), also called the Iringa red colobus or the Uzungwa red colobus is endemic to Tanzania.
Ulindi River Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus lulindicusSkin Color(s): Red and Black
The Ulindi River red colobus (Piliocolobus lulindicus) is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This Red Colobus species is named after the Ulindi River.
Ursine Colobus
Species Name: Colobus vellerosusSkin Color(s): Black
The white-thighed colobus (Colobus vellerosus), also known as ursine colobus, white-thighed black-and-white colobus, and Geoffroy's black-and-white colobus, is a species of primate in the Cercopithecidae family.
Vanzolini’s Bald-faced Saki
Species Name: Pithecia vanzoliniiSkin Color(s): Black
Vanzolini's Bald-Faced Saki (Pithecia vanzolinii) is a species of saki monkey, a species of New World monkey. Vanzolini's bald-faced saki monkey was first cataloged by naturalist Alfonso Ollala in 1936. His account describes a monkey with a long, fluffy tail and golden fur on its limbs.
Weddell’s Saddle-Back Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus weddelliSkin Color(s): Black
The Weddell's saddle-back tamarin (Leontocebus weddelli) is a species of saddle-back tamarin, a species of small South American monkey. Weddell's saddle-back tamarins are tree dwellers. As such, they are phenomenal climbers with sharp claws that allow them to cling to the sides of trees.
West Javan Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus mauritiusSkin Color(s): Glossy Black
The West Javan langur (Trachypithecus mauritius) is an Old-World monkey of the Colobinae subfamily. It was previously considered a subspecies of Trachypithecus auratus until Roos and Groves raised it to its own species.
Western Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus badiusSkin Color(s): Brown, grey or Black
The western red colobus (Piliocolobus badius), also called the Upper Guinean red colobus, rust red colobus, or bay red colobus is a species of Old-World monkey found in the forests of West Africa, from Senegal to Ghana.
White-bellied Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles belzebuthSkin Color(s): Black and yellow-creamy
The white-bellied spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth), also called the long-haired or white-fronted spider monkey, is an endangered species of spider monkey, a species of New-World monkey. These arboreal monkeys spend most of their time in the canopy. They rarely go down. When they do, they drink water, eat dirt, traverse a treeless area, or run away from an aggressive opponent.
White-cheeked Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles marginatusSkin Color(s): Dark brown or Black
The white-cheeked spider monkey (Ateles marginatus), also known as the white-whiskered spider monkey, is a New World monkey native to the Amazon Basin of central Brazil.
White-headed Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus leucocephalusSkin Color(s): Black and white
The white-headed langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) is an endangered species of langur native to Guangxi, China. As the common name suggests, a tuft of white fur covers this primate's head.
White-Headed Marmoset
Species Name: Callithrix geoffroyiSkin Color(s): Dark or Blackish brown
The Geoffroy's marmoset, also called Geoffrey's marmoset, white-headed marmoset, or tufted-ear marmoset is a marmoset native to the forests of eastern Brazil, where it is native to Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and Bahia. Geoffroy's marmosets are said to follow swarms of army ants to catch insects expelled by the ants.
White-nosed Saki
Species Name: Chiropotes albinasusSkin Color(s): Black
The white-nosed saki (Chiropotes albinasus) is bearded, a New World monkey species native to the Amazon rainforest of south-central Brazil. White-nosed sakis are sometimes found in large social groups of 18-30 individuals. Their main reason for traveling is the food search.
White-Throated Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus capucinusSkin Color(s): White and pale yellow
White-throated capuchins, also called the white-headed capuchins, Colombian white-throated capuchins, and white-faced capuchins, are New World monkeys native to the tropical rainforests of western Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.
Wied’s Marmoset
Species Name: Callithrix kuhliiSkin Color(s): Black
The Wied's marmoset (Callithrix kuhlii), also called the Wied's black-tufted-ear marmoset, is a New World monkey that lives in the tropical and subtropical forests of eastern Brazil. Unlike other common marmosets, Wied's marmosets live in groups consisting of 4 or 5 females and 2 or 3 males (plus juveniles).
Yucatan Black Howler
Species Name: Alouatta pigraSkin Color(s): Black
The Yucatan black howler, also called the Guatemalan black howler or Central American black howler, is a New-World monkey native to Central America. The Yucatan black howler monkey is the largest species of howler monkey and among the largest monkeys in the New-World.
Zanzibar Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus kirkiiSkin Color(s): Dark red to Black
The Zanzibar red colobus (Piliocolobus kirkii) is endemic to Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago off the coast of Tanzania. The Zanzibar red colobus, often referred to as Kirk's red colobus is named after Sir John Kirk, the British resident of Zanzibar who first spotted these creatures.
Recommended Readings: Brown Monkeys | White Monkeys | Green Monkeys | Red Monkeys | Orange Monkeys | Gray Monkeys
