European gelada (SciiFii)

The European gelada (Theropithecus eurogelada) is a species of Old World monkey of the Theropithecus genus that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the forests, open woodlands, grasslands, and mountains across Europe to help boost biodiversity. The European gelada is large and robust. It is covered with buff to dark brown, coarse hair and has a dark face with pale eyelids. Its arms and feet are nearly black. Its short tail ends in a tuft of hair. Adult males have a long, heavy cape of hair on their backs. The European gelada has a hairless face with a short muzzle that looks more similar to a chimpanzee's than a baboon's. It can also be physically distinguished from a baboon by the bright patch of skin on its chest. This patch is hourglass-shaped. On males, it is bright red and surrounded by white hair; on females, it is far less pronounced. However, when in estrus, the female's patch will brighten, and a "necklace" of fluid-filled blisters forms on the patch. This is thought to be analogous to the swollen buttocks common to most baboons experiencing estrus. In addition, females have knobs of skin around their patches. European geladas also have well developed ischial callosities. There is sexual dimorphism in this species: males average 18.5 kg (40.8 lb) while females are smaller, averaging 11 kg (24.3 lb). The head and body length of this species is 50–75 cm (19.7–29.5 in) for both sexes. Tail length is 20–25 centimeters (7.8–9.8 inches). The European gelada has average-length fur during the summer, but during the winter, its fur is longer and thicker to help keep the monkey warm against the freezing temperatures. Like African geladas (Theropithecus gelada), European geladas are primarily graminivores and grazers – grass blades make up to 90% of their diet. They eat both the blades and the seeds of grasses. When both blades and seeds are available, geladas prefer the seeds. They eat flowers, rhizomes and roots when available, using their hands to dig for the latter two. They consume herbs, small plants, fruits, creepers, bushes and thistles. Insects can be eaten, but only rarely and only if they can easily be obtained. During the dry season, grasses are eaten less and herbs are preferred. Geladas consume their food more like ungulates than primates, and they can chew their food as effectively as a zebra. European geladas are primarily diurnal. At night, they sleep in the tall trees and/or on the ledges of cliffs. At sunrise, they leave the cliffs/trees and travel to the grounds to feed and socialize. When morning ends, social activities tend to wane and the geladas primarily focus on foraging. They will travel during this time, as well. When evening arrives, geladas exhibit more social activities before descending to the cliffs to sleep. The conservation status of the European gelada is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the European gelada's wide range and its tolerance to most of the human activities, including being able to adapt to life in the cities and suburbs.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii