Image Gallery: Cute Gelada Monkeys

Towering Tales

Gelada monkeys live in large herds in the alpine grasslands of the towering Simien Mountains in Ethiopia.

(Image credit: Galyna Andrushko | Shutterstock)

Gelada monkeys live in large herds in the alpine grasslands of the towering Simien Mountains in Ethiopia.

Grooming Geladas

Two adult female geladas grooming on the edge of a cliff.

(Image credit: Photograph by Clay Wilton.)

Two adult female geladas grooming on the edge of a cliff.

Mating Scene

Research published in the Feb. 24, 2012, issue of the journal Science suggests that when male gelada monkeys take over a reproductive group, the pregnant monkeys in the group spontaneously miscarry. Then they mated with the new male (mating scene shown he

(Image credit: Claudia Naerdemann | Shutterstock)

Research published in the Feb. 24, 2012, issue of the journal Science suggests that when male gelada monkeys take over a reproductive group, the pregnant monkeys in the group spontaneously miscarry. Then they mated with the new male (mating scene shown here) and got pregnant again.

Male Monkey Takeover

A gelada reproductive unit on the edlge of a cliff. Three adult females sit with their infants (foreground) while their leader male looks on (background).

(Image credit: Photograph by Clay Wilton.)

A gelada reproductive unit on the edlge of a cliff. Three adult females sit with their infants (foreground) while their leader male looks on (background).

Baby Gelada

A 4-month-old infant gelada riding on her mother's head.

(Image credit: Photograph by Shayna Liberman)

A 4-month-old infant gelada riding on her mother's head.

Mama and Baby

A mother gelada and her 6-month-old infant. Infant geladas typically nurse for the first 1.5 to 2.0 years of their lives.

(Image credit: Photograph by Shayna Liberman)

A mother gelada and her 6-month-old infant. Infant geladas typically nurse for the first 1.5 to 2.0 years of their lives.

Monkey-Back Ride!

A mama gelada monkey (<em>Theropithecus gelada</em>) carrying her baby on her back.

(Image credit: riekephotos | Shutterstock)

A mama gelada monkey (Theropithecus gelada) carrying her baby on her back.

Hairless Chest

Adult males sport a long, heavy, cape of hair on their backs; they also have a hairless hourglass-shape pink or red area of skin located on the chest. For females, this reddish skin patch is surrounded by pearl-like knobs of skin.

(Image credit: Endless Traveller | Shutterstock)

Adult males sport a long, heavy, cape of hair on their backs; they also have a hairless hourglass-shape pink or red area of skin located on the chest. For females, this reddish skin patch is surrounded by pearl-like knobs of skin.

Monkey Calls

Adult geladas have quite the repertoire of vocalizations, with about 30 distinct calls, including those used for contact, reassurance, appeasement, solicitation, ambivalence and aggressive-defensive vocalizations. Females have specific estrus calls to ale

(Image credit: trevor kittelty | Shutterstock)

Adult geladas have quite the repertoire of vocalizations, with about 30 distinct calls, including those used for contact, reassurance, appeasement, solicitation, ambivalence and aggressive-defensive vocalizations. Females have specific estrus calls to alert males that they're ready to mate.

How Cute Are We?

Gelada monkeys, like this pair of juveniles, spend a good chunk of time in social activities.

(Image credit: Endless Traveller | Shutterstock)

Gelada monkeys, like this pair of juveniles, spend a good chunk of time in social activities.

Live Science Staff
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