Gelada
Sign in to saveThe gelada (Theropithecus gelada, , ), sometimes called the bleeding-heart monkey or the gelada baboon, is a species of Old World monkey found only in the Ethiopian Highlands, living at elevations of above sea level. It is the only living member of the genus Theropithecus, a name derived from the Greek root words for "beast-ape" (θηρο-πίθηκος : thēro-píthēkos). Like its close relatives in genus Papio, the baboons, it is largely terrestrial, spending much of its time foraging in grasslands, with grasses comprising up to 90% of its diet.
AI overview
The gelada is a large monkey found only in the Ethiopian Highlands that is unique as the sole surviving member of its genus and is notable for spending most of its time on the ground eating grasses rather than in trees like many other primates. It matters because it represents a distinct evolutionary lineage and provides scientists with insights into how primates have adapted to specialized grassland environments.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Taxonomy · GBIF
GENUS
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassMammalia
- OrderPrimates
- FamilyCercopithecidae
via GBIF · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Theropithecus
- Image
- Southern gelada (Theropithecus gelada obscura) female with baby.jpg
Show 4 more facts
- P105
- species
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Taxonomy and evolution
- Common name
- Description
- Range and ecology
- Behavior
- Social structure
- Reproduction and parenting
- Communication
- Conservation status and human interactions
- References
- External links
The gelada (Theropithecus gelada, , ), sometimes called the bleeding-heart monkey or the gelada baboon, is a species of Old World monkey found only in the Ethiopian Highlands, living at elevations of above sea level. It is the only living member of the genus Theropithecus, a name derived from the Greek root words for "beast-ape" (θηρο-πίθηκος : thēro-píthēkos). Like its close relatives in genus Papio, the baboons, it is largely terrestrial, spending much of its time foraging in grasslands, with grasses comprising up to 90% of its diet.
It has buff to dark brown hair with a dark face and pale eyelids. Adult males have longer hair on their backs and a conspicuous bright red patch of skin shaped like an hourglass on their chests. Females also have a bare patch of skin but it is less pronounced, except during estrus, when it brightens and exhibits a "necklace" of fluid-filled blisters. Males average and females average in weight. The head-body length is with a tail of .