Vervet Monkey
Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Conservation Status
Least ConcernMammalia · Primates · Cercopithecidae
About
The vervet monkey, or simply vervet, is an Old World monkey of the family Cercopithecidae native to Africa. The term "vervet" is also used to refer to all the members of the genus Chlorocebus. The five distinct subspecies can be found mostly throughout Southern Africa, as well as some of the eastern countries. These mostly herbivorous monkeys have black faces and grey body hair color, ranging in body length from about 40 cm (16 in) for females, to about 50 cm (20 in) for males.
Fun Fact
Vervet monkeys have distinct alarm calls for different predators — one for eagles, one for leopards, and one for snakes — each triggering a specific escape response (look up, climb a tree, or stand tall and scan the ground).
Quick Facts
Habitat
Savannas and woodlands
Diet
Omnivore
Lifespan
12-24 years
Threats
- Illegal Logging
- Wildfire