The Bili monkey is believed to be a type of chimpanzee.
The Bili monkey, also known as the Bondo mystery monkey, is believed to be a type of chimpanzee. These monkeys are native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and typically live in such remote parts of the forest that biologists believe they have had little contact with humans. These apes are very similar in appearance and behavior to the common chimpanzee, except that they are generally much larger and have a gorilla-like cranial crest. The typical Bili monkey can weigh up to 220 pounds (100 kilograms) and can leave a footprint up to 13.6 inches (34 centimeters) long. Biologists have had little opportunity to study the Bili monkey, but they believe it may be a more aggressive predator than the common chimpanzee.
The Bili monkey is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Local legend says that the Bili monkey is capable of hunting and killing other large African predators, including leopards, lions, buffalo and elephants. While scientists have yet to observe this hunting behavior, evidence suggests the legends may be true. One scientist, Cleve Hicks of the University of Amsterdam, and his research team were able to observe several of these monkeys feeding on a dead leopard. However, they did not observe the leopard’s death and warned that monkeys might have stumbled upon its carcass after it died.
However, unlike the smaller common chimpanzees, the Bili monkey often builds its nest on the ground. The researchers believe this could be another indication of the monkey’s status as an aggressive predator. Chimpanzees often build their nests in the branches of trees, as this normally provides optimal protection from terrestrial predators such as leopards and lions. Some researchers hypothesize that the presence of Bili monkey nests on the ground means that these animals are recognized as formidable predators in the animal kingdom, and therefore have less need to fear attacks by other predators at night.
Scientists have not yet fully chronicled the habits and behavior of the Bili monkey, as these creatures often live far from any human habitation. They are considered a type of chimpanzee and are believed to behave in the same way as other chimpanzees, although there are some variations in their behavior. Tool use, for example, may be different from other apes’ use, as their favorite tools seem to be large rocks. Bili monkeys have been observed using rocks to break up termite and ant nests, fruit shells, snails, and even turtles for food.