It is thought to have diverged from the other species during the mid-late Miocene, between 6-10 million years ago.

[3] This species ranges from Guinea west to Nigeria, with an disjunct population in eastern Senegal.

The Niger River serves as the eastern barrier to the species' range, separating it from the Central African potto (P.

[1] One population of chimpanzees living in Mont Assirik, Senegal, was observed to eat West African pottos, taking them from their sleeping places during the day; however, this behaviour has not been observed in chimps elsewhere.

Heavy deforestation for industrial agriculture is thought to have led to rapid population declines in the species.