Mammals · Primates · Cercopithecidae

Vervet Monkey

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

Not Evaluated

It has not yet been assessed against the IUCN criteria. See full glossary

It lives in hierarchical groups where females stay in the troop they were born into for life, while males move to neighbouring troops on reaching maturity.

Weight

3.4 kg – 8 kg

Size

30 cm – 60 cm

Lifespan

12 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Herd

Lives in large groups as a strategy against predators.

Sighting difficulty

Unknown

SavannaOmnivore Diurnal In herds Savanna Mammal

43countries 32parks44same family

Fun facts

It is well known among primatologists for the distinctive turquoise scrotum of adult males.
It eats fruit, seeds, leaves, flowers, tree gum, insects, small vertebrates and eggs.
It adapts notably well to towns in eastern and southern Africa.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Savannah, open woodland and riverside country across much of eastern and southern Africa, with a marked knack for towns
Birth weight: Born precocial, clinging to its mother's belly
Size at birth: Born precocial
Sexual maturity: Female: ~3 years | Male: ~6 years
Gestation / incubation: 5-6 months
Litter / clutch size: 1 young per birth (twins occasional)
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of up to 33 years

Sources consulted: African Wildlife (Vervet Monkey Facts); A-Z Animals; Vervet Monkey Species Guide (vervet.za.org); SDZWA Fact Sheet (summary); PMC (loud call production study); Wikipedia (Vervet monkey)