The patas monkey lives in the savannahs and dry regions of an extensive area of Africa, in southern Sahara. It is a ground-dwelling animal that only climbs to trees to sleep and in case of danger. It is the fastest primate, as it can reach speeds of more than 50 km/h.
It lives in groups of up to thirty individuals, in which there is only one dominant male. The rest of the group consists of females, young ones and infants. It feeds on fruits, seeds, roots and leaves, as well as insects and small vertebrates.
The male acts as watchdog and quietly warns the group when a predator is near. While the females and young remain concealed in the grass, he creates a diversion by rushing in the opposite direction or by bouncing noisily in a tree.