Sometimes called green monkeys, vervets are named for their greenish-gray fur color. The name "vervet" is derived from the French word "vert," meaning "green."

These monkeys are very curious animals that love to explore campsites and other human settlements, which can sometimes lead to unwanted trouble. 

Scientific Name: Chlorocebus pygerythrus

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Size: 11 to 26 in. long, 16 to 18 inches tall

Weight: 7 to 17 lbs.

Vervet Monkey
Nutrition
Vervets are true omnivores that eat a wide variety of foods. They often eat insects, eggs, birds, small mice, fruits, and leaves. They also chew on trees, like acacias, to enjoy the sap inside.

At the Zoo, vervets receive assorted produce and specially formulated primate biscuits.
Current Range and Historic Range
The vervet has the largest range of any African monkey. The species is found in eastern Africa, running south from Ethiopia through to South Africa.
Habitat
The vervet monkey is a very adaptable animal that can live in many different habitats. They can be found in savannas, open woodlands, and along the edges of forests. However, they usually do not live in deserts or very dense forests. Vervets also like to stay close to water sources and rarely wander too far from them.
Predators and Threats
Predators include leopards, snakes, raptors, and baboons.

Although the species is adaptable and widespread, their numbers are decreasing in certain areas because their habitats are getting smaller and becoming more isolated. This is mainly due to human activities that destroy their habitats. Additionally, vervets can be considered a nuisance when they raid crops or have negative encounters with people, which sometimes leads to them being harmed or killed.
Physical Description and Adaptations
Vervet monkeys are small primates with a yellow to greenish-brown coat and white fur on their undersides, brows, and cheeks. Their fur is of moderate length, but they have longer hair around their cheeks and mouth. These monkeys have bluish skin on their bellies, and their faces, hands, and feet are black. Male vervets are easily recognized by their bright blue crotch areas and red genitalia, which they display when competing with other males. When vervet babies are born, they have black fur and pink faces, but by around four months old, they start to look more like their parents.

Vervet monkeys are great at climbing and can move easily both on the ground and in trees. They are skilled jumpers and leapers, using their flexible hands to grip branches and their tails for balance. Most of their day is spent searching for food on the ground, and they have cheek pouches that allow them to store food to eat later.
Reproduction
Mating season happens once a year during the dry season, and babies are usually born between October and January after the rainy season. After about five months of pregnancy, mothers typically give birth to one baby at a time. For the first few weeks, the baby clings to its mom and drinks milk. As they grow, the young ones start to play and explore but still come back to their mom for milk and care. By around eight months old, they are fully weaned and start eating solid foods they find while foraging.

In social groups, female members often help each other take care of the young ones. Females usually reach full maturity between two and a half and four years old, while males reach maturity at about five years old.
Communication
Vervet monkeys communicate with each other using sounds, body language, and grooming. They have different alarm calls to alert the group about various dangers. Each type of call signals a specific threat, and the monkeys respond accordingly. For instance, when they hear a “leopard” alarm call, they quickly run into the trees for safety. If they hear an “eagle” call, they look up to spot the danger. So far, researchers have found at least 36 different calls that vervet monkeys use.
Behaviors
Vervet monkeys live in groups called troops, which can have between 10 to 50 monkeys. These troops have a clear hierarchy, meaning there's a ranking that decides who gets to eat and mate. When male vervets reach maturity, the older males often chase them away to reduce competition, causing them to join other troops.

Vervets spend a lot of their time on the ground, more than many other types of monkeys. They go back to trees when they feel scared or when it's time to sleep.

A WORLD APART...A SIMILAR CHALLENGE

In eastern and southern Africa, vervet monkeys are often in conflict with humans when living near settlements or safari camps. They are very curious and will steal food and garbage from people who do not “monkey-proof” their homes. Actions like keeping food contained in smell-proof or lockable containers, keeping windows and rubbish bins securely closed or fastened, and encouraging monkeys to keep their distance can help eliminate vervet-human conflict.

In our own backyards, we sometimes encounter uninvited wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks, and rodents, seeking the unprotected resources we may unknowingly provide. You can work towards a peaceful coexistence with the wildlife that shares our spaces by taking simple actions around your home.

  • Seal garbage cans (use bungee cords on lids), cover compost bins, and place netting over small decorative ponds.
  • Putting out garbage on the day it will be picked up will discourage animals from frequenting the area.
  • Feed pets inside or be sure to remove any food placed outside when they are finished eating.
  • Using motion-activated lights or sprinklers at night can help keep wildlife out of the yard.