Meet the Vervet Monkey
The Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), commonly known as the vervet, is an Old World monkey native to Africa, thriving in a variety of habitats from savannas to riverine forests. These highly adaptable primates are easily recognized by their striking black faces, expressive eyes, and silver-grey fur. Vervet monkeys are known for their complex social structures and impressive intelligence, displaying behaviors that resemble human-like traits, including problem-solving and even a rudimentary understanding of fairness. One of their most fascinating traits is their unique system of vocal communication—each call has a specific meaning, such as warnings for different predators like leopards, eagles, or snakes. Omnivorous by nature, they enjoy a varied diet of fruits, leaves, flowers, and insects. Playful and mischievous, vervet monkeys are also famous for their love of adventure and occasional raids on human food supplies, making them both entertaining and sometimes troublesome neighbors in their native habitats.
Park Location: Animal Walkabout
About the Vervet Monkey
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Height | 11.8 – 23.6 Inches (300 – 600 mm) |
| Weight | 7.5 – 17.6 lbs (3.4 kg – 8 kg) |
| Diet | Mostly vegetarin, supplemented with insects, grubs, eggs and sometimes rodents. |
| Gestation Period | 156 – 165 Days |
| Life Span | 12 – 24 Years |
| Threats | Vervets have four confirmed predators: leopards, eagles, pythons, and baboons. Vervets have acoustically distinct alarm calls for each of these predators, which vervet babies learn to make by observing their elders. |
