Social organization Sooty mangabeys typically live and forage in large,
multi-male, multi-female groups of 70–120 individuals. Sooty mangabeys form linear
dominance hierarchies within sexes and form coalitions; within these hierarchies, higher-ranking females typically are found to spend less time foraging as opposed to feeding than their lower-ranking counterparts and were more centrally located within groups. Similarly, higher-ranking males were found to be more centrally located within the group, and be better fed and rested. Overall, however, females are found to be located in a more central spatial position within the group and better fed and rested than males, independent of ranking. Furthermore, the dominance rank of children is not influenced by the dominance ranking of either parent, and juveniles typically challenge higher ranking adults starting around three or four years of age. Typically, males will outrank all of the females by age five or six. As a result of these selective pressures, sooty mangabeys have evolved acoustically distinct
alarm calls for different predator types. and in fact are used by other monkey species to avoid potential predators. Sooty mangabeys also produce other vocalizations within their varied repertoire for a wide variety of social interactions. Sooty mangabeys are recorded most frequently producing grunts (typically in the context of foraging, socially embracing, or, between males, for asserting dominance), twitters (typically produced by adult females during foraging and social interactions such as grooming), and screams (emitted during
agonistic interactions, typically by juveniles and adult females). This often leads to unreciprocated grooming from the approaching female—mothers, upon receiving grooming, will allow for the grooming female to handle their infants.
Sexual and reproductive behavior Female sooty mangabeys have
sexual swellings that are maximally
tumescent near
ovulation and typically have a
gestation length of ~160–170 days; while typically, higher ranking males would be able to identify
estrous females and monopolize mating opportunities, it is suggested that dominant males cannot entirely control access to estrous females, However, despite these potential counterstrategies against
infanticide through paternity confusion, cases of infanticide have been recorded, usually shortly after a change in alpha males or with the introduction of new, immigrant males. In captivity, recently deposed alpha males have been observed carrying their infants (likely for protection) in the presence of newly ascended alpha males, typically following aggression by the new alpha male towards the infant.
Activity by day Sooty mangabeys are
diurnal animals that are mostly active during the day. Their morning starts with a rise an energy where the sooty mangabey will make its displays, travel, and sexually present itself. However, at this time, they have minimal social contact. The late morning and early afternoon will often restrict the movement of the sooty mangabey and promote more social interactions between them. During this time,
grooming or play are prevalent. By the late afternoon, the sooty mangabey will engage in play or feeding behavior. ==Disease==