The World’s Most Colorful Monkeys: I Am Pretty No Matter What You Say

A list of colorful monkeys.

I know what you are thinking. If I am in front of you right now you might be yelling me this, “What, colorful monkeys? You must be kidding me?” Yes, you have to believe me, there are really colorful species of monkeys. Scroll down and find out!

Red-shanked Douc

The first colorful monkey on the list is the handsome looking Red-shanked Douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) of Southeast Asia. It is one of the most colorful and most attractive of all primates. It’s a diurnal and an arboreal creature that sleeps and eats up in forest trees. Red-shanked Duoc can grow up to 765 cm tall with a tail that measures about 765 cm long and can weigh up to 7 kg.

Black-capped Squirrel Monkey

The next colorful monkey species on the list is the Black-capped Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis). This cute-looking squirrel monkey can be found is South America, specifically in Bolivia, Brazil and Peru.

Javan Lutung

The third monkey species on the list is the Javan Lutung (Trachypithecus auratus) of Indonesia. It is native to the island of Java, hence the common name. This golden-colored monkey, which can grow up to 55 cm in length and with a tail measuring about 98 cm long, can also be found in the surrounding islands of Java. It is also known as the Ebony Lutung and Javan Langur.

Golden Snub-nosed Monkey

The fourth colorful monkey species on the list is the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) of China. This Old World monkey lives in temperate mountain forests and can withstand colder temperature than any other non-human primates. In china, it is known as the Sichuan Golden Hair Monkey or the Sichuan Snub-Nosed Monkey. As its common name implies, it is mostly golden in color.

Red-bellied Titi

The fifth colorful monkey species on the list is the Red –bellied Titi (Callicebus moloch) or Dusky Titi. Although the color of the Red-bellied Titi on the above photo appears to be orange, it is actually red in color. This colorful monkey that has a colorful beard is a type of New World monkey native to Brazil.

Patas Monkey

The sixth colorful monkey species on the list is the Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas) of Africa. This lovely-looking monkey is not just colorful it is also the “fastest runner among primates”. This ground-dwelling monkey can grow up to 85 cm in length excluding the tail which is about 75 cm long. It is also commonly known as the Wadi Monkey or Hussar Monkey.

Golden Lion Tamarin

The seventh colorful monkey species on the list is the Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia). This small New World monkey is native to Brazil. This endangered species is reddish orange to golden brown in color. On the average, this monkey can weigh 600 grams only. It is also known as Golden Marmoset.

Gee’s Golden Langur

The eighth colorful monkey species on the list is the Gee’s Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei), or simply the Golden Langur. It is a type of Old World monkey that can be found in Assam, India and Bhutan. This endangered monkey species is considered sacred by many Himalayan people.

Zanzibar Red Colobus

The ninth colorful monkey species on the list is the Zanzibar Red Colobus (Procolobus kirkii). This monkey is native too Zanzibar, Tanzania. This monkey is not only remarkable for its coloration but also features a distinguishing pink mark on its lips and nose. On the average, Zanzibar Red Colobus monkeys weigh about 11 kg. This endangered species is also known as Kirk’s Red Colobus.

Western Red Colobus

The tenth colorful monkey species on the list is the Western Red Colobus (Procolobus badius). It is a type of Old World monkey that inhabits the forests of Senegal, Ghana and other western African countries. This monkey is a notable carrier of Ebola virus. Many chimpanzees were infected by Ebola virus when Western Red Colobus were hunted and eaten by chimpanzees.

Sumatran Orangutan

The eleventh colorful monkey species on the list is the Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii). This unique monkey can only be found on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. This rare and small orangutan can grow up to 1.4 meters in height and can weigh up to 90 kg.

Mandrill

The list will not be complete without including one of the sexiest animals alive – the Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx). This primate possesses one of the most brightly-colored faces and rumps in the world. As the mandrill grows older, its coloration becomes even brighter. It is native to Africa and can live up to 31 years in captivity.

The above list of colorful monkeys might not be as colorful as the most colorful amphibians, fishes and birds but somehow they can still be considered colorful, at the least.