Facts and Features of Vervet Monkey

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order : Primates
Family: Cercopithecidae
Genre : Chlorocebus
Scientific Name: Chlorocebus Pygerythrus
Common name : Vervet Monkey
Other name ( s ) : Vervet
Group: Mammal
Number of species: 6
Location : East Africa
Habitat: riverine acacia forests
Color: Green, Gray , Brown, Black , Silver
Skin Type :Fur
Size ( L ) : 47cm - 67cm ( 17.9in - 25.7in )
Weight: 3.6 kg - 5 kg ( 7 lbs - 10 lbs )
Maximum speed : 46kph (30 mph)
Diet: Omnivore
Prey : leaves, fruits , insects,roots,bulbs
Attackers: Leopard , Serval , Crocodile
Lifestyle:Food search in day and rest at night
Group Behavior : Troop
Life Period : 12 - 24 years
Age of sexual maturity : 2 - 5 years
Gestation period: 163 days
Average Litter Size : 1
Young Name : Infant
Weaning age : 8 - 12 months
Preservation Status : Least Concern
Estimated Population : Sustainable
Major Threat:Loss of habitat
Special feature :white ears and black face

Fact: Often found above 400 meters from the trees!

Classification and Evolution of Vervet Monkey

The vervet monkey is a medium to large size species which is mainly found in region of  East Africa.It is believed to be species of Grivet, which is another tree-dwelling African monkey which has characteristics very similar to the Vervet, along with the Malbrouck which is considered to be subspecies of vervet Monkey. These three animals are very closely attached, but they tend to live in groups in different areas and believed to very often come into contact with each other.In today's time there are six sub-species of vervet monkey species usually classified according to their location,but there are some differences in coloration.

Anatomy and Appearance of Vervet Monkey

Vervet Monkey grows to an average height of 48 cm ,with a tail that is usually longer than the body itself and has a black tip.Their skin tends to be gray or olive color ( depending on species ) and is lighter on the bottom.The hands and feet are Vervet Monkey are black , along with it's ears and face that has a white stripe on it and is designed by white cheeks.The vervet has long arms and legs, which are of same length to allow this species to walk on four legs.Males tend to be larger than females and are easily distinguished by their bright blue testicles .

Distribution and Habitat of Vervet Monkey

The Vervet Monkey lives in south of Sahara and is widespread throughout East Africa.Also found in parts of southern and western Africa from Uganda to Ghana, but its location is generally dependent on the subspecies .Vervet Monkey inhabits savanna , forests and jungles , which tend to be near the water , preferring acacia forests that line rivers and lakes.Vervet Monkeys are also found in mountains up to 1,400 feet provided there is an adequate supply of food and water for living.Rarely found in extreme environments such as deserts and rain forests , as these regions do not contain all things needed to live.

Behavior and Lifestyle of  Vervet Monkey

The vervet monkey spends most of  time in the safety of the trees.Despite venturing into the ground in search of food and water,it rarely go beyond 400 meters of trees ,which helps to escape from attackers.They are diurnal animals that spend their days in search of food and then rest at night.The vervet is a very sociable animals that inhabit territories may contain between 10 and 50 people , depending on the location and how wide the food supply is.These troops are composed of adult females and their offspring , males wandering between different troops , both socializing and companion.

Life Cycles of Vervet Monkey 

Generally it is not able to reproduce until they are  five years old, despite their age at sexual maturity is known to vary slightly and may depend on the amount of food they access.After 5 ½ months , females give birth to a baby being cleaned by his mother, and clings to her stomach during the first week or so.Vervet Monkey babies quickly develop strong social bonds with other monkeys and is known to begin to interact and play with them when they are of one month old.They have black hair and pink faces and tend not to develop adult coloration until a few months old.Vervet Monkey babies suck their mother 's milk until they are about four months old and start eating soft vegetables, but they are not completely weaned until they are a year old .

Diet and Prey of Vervet Monkey 

This is an omnivorous animal ,meaning they eat both plant matter and other animals in order to get the nutrition they need to live.The leaves and young shoots are the most diet , along with the bark of trees, flowers and fruits.Vervet Monkeys search for roots,bulbs , seeds and herbs and also known to supplement their diet with insects , eggs , rodents , birds and other animals.Like many other species of monkeys, the Vervet uses it's incredibly skilled hands in order to gather food ,with its long tail help to balance on tree branches.

Attackers and Dangers of Vervet Monkey

The vervet has few attackers ,although it remains in the trees but the largest species of eagle is common fear.On the ground however, there are number of large African attackers ,including felines such as the Leopard ,Serval and Caracal ,also with large reptiles like pythons ,crocodiles near the water.The Vervet Monkey can quickly make a backup safety, and the ability to run at a speed that allows them to try to escape faster.Although vervet generally only make sounds, is known to shout and whistle to alert other members of the troop that they are in danger.

Interesting Facts about Vervet Monkey 

Despite the fact that they tends to reach sexual maturity after several years in the wild, sex tends to occur much earlier at an average age of two years old.They are well adjusted to their surrounding environments , as they can jump and climb well when in the trees and are very fast on the ground as well as being excellent swimmers.Younger women of the troops that are not yet mature ,often show a sweet interest in the offspring of adult females and help with grooming and caring for their young.It is also known that love to keep them , so it's not surprising that social bonds within the troop particularly among relatives , often last for life.

Relationship of  humans with Vervet Monkey

Vervet Monkey has get acquainted urban environments and have replaced expanding their historic habitat , but sometimes are seen as pests.Vervet Monkeys are known to attack the fields, along with the theft of food and other items and are rarely caught by humans because of their speed, both on the ground and trees. Although they have been affected by the increase of human settlements , is also the destruction of their natural ranges mainly for agriculture ,which is compressing their populations.They are also appeared in the islands of West Indies  i.e St. Kitts and Barbados.

Preservation Status of Vervet Monkey

Today, as the species are widely available and found in different habitats ,so it has been listed as least concern to become extinct in near future Although they have adapted well to city life , they are often killed by electricity wires and traffic along with used in medicines and as bushmeat.