Vervet Monkey

Vervet monkeys are spread across southern and eastern Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to South Africa.

The preferred habitat is acacia woodland along streams, rivers, and lakes. Vervet monkeys can also live in mountainous areas up to 13,000 feet.

Diurnal. Much of the day is spent foraging for food and grooming.

Approximately 15 years in the wild and 30 years in human care.

Vervet monkeys are a medium sized primate with a greenish-olive or silver-gray coat of close-fitting, moderate length hair. They have a black face, ears, hands, feet, and tips of their tails. Their forehead has a white band across it which blends into elongated side whiskers. They have long tails with a reddish patch on the underside of the base. Males are slightly larger than females. Young vervets are born with a dark coat and pink face.

Vervet monkeys are highly social, living in troops of up to 50 individuals. Within a troop, there are separate dominance hierarchies for each sex. Males establish a hierarchy by age, tenure in group, fighting abilities, and allies. Female hierarchies depend on maternal social status.