It has experienced an acceleration in morphological evolution of size which is suggested to be the result of insularity on the island and environmental pressures such as competition, habitat, predation and/or resource availability.

[5][6] Males tend to have pedomorphic traits which include a shorter face, large orbits and an enlarged neurocranium.

Its black face is crowned with long, white hair, and features a distinguishing pink mark on its lips and nose.

[11] Sexual dimorphism is generally decreased in the species, meaning the females have little difference in their body size and colour from their male counterparts.

[11] The word "colobus" comes from Greek ekolobóse, meaning "he cut short", and is so named because of the significant reduction in size, or complete lack of an opposable thumb in comparison to other primates.

[13] To make up for this, they have four long digits that align to form a strong hook, allowing them to easily grasp branches and climb.

[15] It displays a wide habit tolerance, but it is mainly an arboreal species and prefers drier areas over wet ones.

[15][18] The largest and most significant area of protection and habitat for the monkey is in Jozani National Park, which provides 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi) of land reserve.

[17] The presence of charcoal deposits were shown to result in these monkeys being more likely to inhabit areas that had trees as a food source that were rich in phenolics.

[16] In the dry season, one of the staple foods, Indian almond tree, as previously mentioned, drops its leaves and can cause the monkey to go beyond park boundaries in order to extend its feeding range.

[11] Females approaching estrous can be easily identified because of the swelling and bright red coloration of the genital area.

This is immediately followed by sniffing the area because estrogen and progesterone can be detected by this method, further helping the male conclude if the female is indeed ready to breed.

[15] Research has suggested that the ability for dietary expansion, which consuming charcoal partly allows, explains the higher birth rates and densities due to resource availability.

The Zanzibar red colobus is non-territorial in nature and as so does not typically make loud, territorial threat calls.

[11] Because the Zanzibar red colobus is extremely social, it has a specific call for when it is alone for a certain amount of time upon which it feels vulnerable or threatened.

First, an increase in deforestation has resulted in a significant reduction in resources and habitat; second, it is hunted for meat and pet markets.

On Uzi and Vundwe Islands, the Zanzibar red colobus is subject to extensive habitat destruction, particularly with coral rag forests.

One project was with the World Wildlife Fund, specifically in Menai Bay which is located just west of Uzi Island.

[23] Another funded by the Wildlife Conservation Society designated the Zanzibar red colobus as the flagship species in a long-term study on population, human influence, and behaviour.

'[27] According to the document African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 'Class A' is described as: species in Class A shall be totally protected throughout the entire territory of the Contracting States; the hunting, killing, capture or collection of specimens shall be permitted only on the authorization in each case of the highest competent authority and only if required in the national interest or for scientific purposes.

[27]It has been suggested that an important way to promote conservation of the monkey is to simply spread awareness about it – that it is not a harmful animal and that it can actually be good for the region's economy because it draws tourism.