Hair coloration can be a useful tool for concealment, usually from potential predators but also from potential prey.
Mammals tend to use their hair color for two main reasons: camouflage, and communication. These monkeys are all in the same genus, and yet they have remarkably diverse, striking hair color patterns! So why is this happening? And what makes primate hair color so special? (Photo credit Laeticia Csuneko, and Hans Hillewaert, respectively) left to right: Greater spot-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans), De Brazza’s monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus), Roloway monkey (Cercopithecus roloway). A selection of the variety of hair color patterns throughout the Guenons. Just take a look at these three species of guenon monkeys, a genus of old world monkeys that live throughout the African continent.įigure 1. Often, even closely related primates can exhibit an amazing variety of color patterns, particularly around their face. We have to work hard to attain eccentric hair colors and styles, but many primate species are born with them! In fact, primates have more variety in hair color than any other type of mammal, from the snowy coat of the silvery marmoset to the deep red shag of orangutans. If you’ve ever been to the zoo or watched a nature documentary featuring primates, perhaps you’ve noticed the wide array of colors and patterns present in primate hair.
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