Mammals · Primates · Cercopithecidae

Gelada

Theropithecus gelada

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It is the sole survivor of a genus of grass-grazing primates once abundant on the African grasslands. Its nickname of 'bleeding-heart monkey' comes from the red hourglass patch on its chest.

Weight

11 kg – 18.5 kg

Size

50 cm – 75 cm

Lifespan

18 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Herd

Lives in large groups as a strategy against predators.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

MountainHerbivore Diurnal In herds Mountain Mammal

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Fun facts

It is one of the few primates in the world that eats almost nothing but grass.
The red hourglass patch on its chest gives it the nickname of bleeding-heart monkey.
It lives on high-mountain grassland up to almost 4,000 metres.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: High-mountain grassland and rocky escarpments of the Ethiopian plateau, up to almost 4,000 m
Birth weight: 464 grams
Size at birth: Born with a red face, dark fur and its eyes closed
Sexual maturity: Female: 4-5 years | Male: 5-7 years
Gestation / incubation: 5-6 months (168 days)
Litter / clutch size: 1 young
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of up to 36 years in captivity