Northern talapoins

Šklíba (“Grinny”), a northern talapoin male, in the Dja Reserve pavilion. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

The smallest of all African monkeys, talapoins share a mixed-species exhibit with brush-tailed porcupines in the Dja Reserve pavilion. Besides their indoor exhibit, they also have access to an outdoor area.

The northern talapoin is characterised by its long limbs and tail and its small, round head. Its fur is olive-green to grey-green on the back, with yellowish tones on its sides and legs. Its native habitat encompasses the tropical forests of central-western Africa, north of the Congo River. These little monkeys favour flooded areas and, unusually for primates, they are good swimmers and even dive for food. They live in large, loose groups of up to a hundred individuals, which split into smaller subgroups during the day and only gather in the treetops at night.

Unfortunately, wild adult numbers are declining and the northern talapoin is therefore listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Conservation efforts are underway to preserve its natural habitat.