Vervets Monkey

Animals Unique | Vervets Monkey | Vervets Monkey Classification and EvolutionThe vervets Monkey is a medium to large sized monkey That is primarily found in Eastern Africa. The vervets Monkey is thought to be a species of Grivet, another tree-dwelling African monkey That has very similar characteristics to the vervets, along with the Malbrouck the which is Considered by some to be a sub-species of vervets Monkey.

 

 These three animals are very closely related but growing niche to Inhabit They territories in slightly different locations and are thought to rarely come into contact with one another. There are currently six recognised sub-species of the vervets Monkey That are Generally classified depending on Their location, although there is some difference in colouration Between Them.Vervets Monkey Anatomy and AppearanceThe vervets Monkey Grows to an average of 50cm tall, with a tail longer than That Is Often the body Itself and has a black tip. Their fur tends to be gray or olive in color (depending on the species) and is lighter on Their Underside. The hands and feet of the Monkey vervets are black, along with Their ears and face the which has a white band above it and is also framed by white cheek Tufts. 

 

 

 

The vervets Monkey has long arms and legs the which are about the same length to allow this species to walk on all fours when on the ground with ease, and actually makes them quite speedy when running. Males growing niche to be larger than Females and are easily distinguished by Their bright blue testicles.Monkey Habitat Distribution and vervetsThe vervets Monkey is found south of the Sahara and is widespread across Eastern Africa. They are also found in parts of southern and western Africa from Uganda to Ghana but Generally Their location is dependent on the sub-species. The vervets Monkey inhabits savanna, woodland and forests That growing niche to be close to water, preferring acacia forests and lakes That line rivers. Vervets Monkeys can also be found in mountainous regions up to 1.300 feet Providing That there is an adequate supply of both food and water to sustain the population. They are rarely found in more extreme environments as deserts and Rainforests Such as these regions simply do not have everything That vervets Monkeys require to successfully survive.Vervets Monkey Behaviour and LifestyleThe vervets Monkey is an arboreal monkey That the which means it spends most of it's time in the safety of the trees. Although They do venture down to the ground in search of both food and water, vervets Monkeys rarely go further than 450 meters from the trees, the which helps to protect them from predators. They are diurnal animals spending the days foraging for food and then rest at night. 

 

 

The vervets Monkey is a very Sociable animal inhabiting territories in Troops That can contain Between 10 and 50 individuals, depending on the location and how the food supply is Ample. These are comprised of Troops and Their Young Adult Females, with different lazy wandering Between Troops to both socialise and mate.Vervets Monkey Reproduction and Life CyclesThe vervets Monkey is not usually Able to reproduce until about five years They are old, although age of sexual maturity Their is known to Vary slightly and may be dependent on how much food They have access too. After about five and a half months, Females give birth to a single infant the which is cleaned by it's mother at birth, and clings to her stomach during the first week or so. Quickly vervets Monkey babies develop strong social bonds with other monkeys and are known to begin interacting and playing with them by the time They are a month old. They have pink faces and black fur and don'ts Their growing niche to develop adult colouration until They are a few months old. Vervets Monkey on Their offspring suckle mother's milk until nearly four months They are old and start to eat softer vegetation, but They are not fully weaned until They are about a year old.Vervets Monkey Diet and PreyThe vervets Monkey is an omnivorous animal, meaning That They consume both plant matter and other animals in order to get the nutrition That They need to survive. Leaves and young shoots make up the bulk of the vervets Monkey's diet, along with tree bark, flowers and fruits That can also be found in the trees surrounding them. On the ground vervets Monkeys forage for roots, bulbs, seeds and grasses and are also known to supplement Their diet with insects, eggs, rodents, birds and other small animals. Like many other monkey species, the vervets uses it's incredibly dexterous hands in order to collect food, with it's long tail aiding in balancing on the tree branches.

 

 

Predators and Threats vervets MonkeyThe vervets Monkey whilst it has few predators Remains in the safety of the trees with larger species of Eagle being Their most common threat. On the ground however, preyed upon by They are a number of Africa's large predators Including felines like the Leopard, Serval and Caracal, along with large Reptiles Such as Pythons, and Crocodiles close to water. Never venturing too far from the trees That means the vervets Quickly Monkey can make it back up into safety, and it's ability to run at speed allows them to try and escape more Quickly. Although vervets Monkeys Generally only the make chattering sounds, They are known to scream and whistle to alert other members of the troop That They are in danger.Interesting Monkey vervets Facts and FeaturesDespite the fact That the vervets Monkey tends to reach sexual maturity after a number of years in the wild, sexual maturity in captivity tends to occur at an average much Sooner age of two years old. They are incredibly well adapted to Their surrounding environments as They can jump and climb well when in the trees and are pretty speedy on the ground, along with being excellent swimmers. Younger Females in the troop That are not yet mature, show a keen interest Often in the offspring of adult Females and assists them with grooming and caring for Their young. They are also known to love to hold them, making it not wonder That social bonds within the troop Between particularly relatives, Often last for life.Vervets Monkey Relationship with HumansThe vervets Monkey has adapted well to the growing urban environments have replaced That it's historical habitat, but Sometimes They are seen as pests in these areas. Vervets Monkeys are known to raid fields of crops, along with stealing food and other items That They find and are rarely caught by Humans due to Their speed and agility, both on the ground and in the trees. Although They have been affected by growing human settlements, it is also the destruction of Their natural ranges Mainly for agriculture, that is affecting the vervets Monkey Populations. 

 

 

 

They have also been introduced onto two of the West Indian Islands, the which are the islands of St. St. Kitts and Barbados.Conservation status and vervets Monkey Life TodayToday, the vervets Monkey has been listed as a species of Least Concern That Is Becoming extinct in of it's natural environment in the immediate future, as the species is widespread and is found in a variety of different habitats. Although They have also adapted well to city-life, They are killed by electricity pylons Often and traffic along with being used in traditional medicines, and caught as bushmeat.

Vervets Monkey Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Primates
Family: Cercopithecidae
Genus: Chlorocebus
Scientific Name: Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Common Name: Monkey vervets
Other Name (s): vervets
Group: Mammal
Number Of Species: 6
Location: Eastern Africa
Habitat: Riverine acacia forests
Colour: Olive, Grey, Brown, Black, Silver
Skin Type: Fur
Size (L): 46cm - 66cm (17.9in - 25.7in)
Weight: 3.5kg - 5kg (7lbs - 10lbs)
Top Speed: 45kph (30mph)
Diet: omnivore
Prey: Leaves, Fruits, Insects
Predators: Leopard, Serval, Crocodile
Lifestyle: Diurnal
Group Behaviour: Troop
Life Span: 12-24 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 2-5 years
Gestation Period: 163 days
Average Litter Size: 1
Name Of Young: Infant
Of Weaning Age: 8-12 months
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Estimated Population Size: Sustainable
Biggest Threat: Habitat loss
Most Distinctive Feature: Black face with white ear Tufts
Fun Fact: Rarely found more than 450m from trees!