Overview
Built for life on the ground, the southern patas monkey is a swift, long-legged primate of northern Tanzania’s open grasslands and acacia woodland. Unlike many monkeys that escape danger by climbing, it relies heavily on speed across open terrain.
Its reddish-brown back, pale underparts and long limbs give it a distinctive, lightly built appearance. Adult males are considerably larger than females and develop a darker face and more imposing build as they mature.
For Tanzania, this is an exceptionally important species. The southern patas monkey is now recognised separately from the more widespread common patas monkey and survives only in a greatly reduced area of western Serengeti.
Behaviour & How to Identify
Look for a slender monkey with extremely long limbs, a reddish or rusty back, pale chest and underparts, and a long tail carried behind the body while running. Adult males are much larger and heavier than females.
Southern patas monkeys spend most of their time on the ground, travelling between feeding areas in open woodland and grassland. They are capable climbers and may use trees for feeding, resting or avoiding danger, but their body shape is especially adapted for terrestrial movement.
When threatened, patas monkeys rely on vigilance and rapid running rather than disappearing into dense forest. Group members communicate using calls, posture and visual signals, while adults remain alert for predators and domestic dogs.
Interesting facts
They are among the fastest primates on the ground. Their long limbs and narrow bodies are adapted for rapid movement through open country, although the widely quoted figure of 55 km/h is not firmly documented.
Females form the stable centre of the group. Females normally remain with their relatives, while males leave their birth group and move between troops.
The Tanzanian species was feared to be close to extinction. A social group was rediscovered in western Serengeti in 2025 after two years without a confirmed reported sighting.