Vervet monkeys are widely recognized primates native to Africa. They are common across much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. These agile animals are known for their adaptability and complex social behaviors.
Defining Features
Vervet monkeys generally possess a distinctive appearance, characterized by a grizzled, silver-grey coat of fur and black faces. Their undersides are white, and they often have white fur on their brows and cheeks, framing their black faces. Adult males are typically larger than females, with males averaging about 5.5 kg (12.1 lb) in weight and 49 cm (19 inches) in body length, while females average around 4.1 kg (9.0 lb) and 42.6 cm (17 inches).
A notable physical characteristic of male vervet monkeys is their bright blue scrotum, which contrasts with a red penis. This striking coloration, often highlighted by the white fur of their undersides, is sometimes referred to as the “red, white, and blue display.” Vervets are quadrupedal, meaning they move on all fours, and are equally comfortable on the ground and in trees. Infants are born with black natal coats and pink faces, gradually acquiring adult coloration by about 12 weeks of age.
Where They Live and What They Eat
Vervet monkeys inhabit diverse environments, including savannas, woodlands, and riverine forests, and can adapt to semi-desert areas or even urban settings. Their presence is often linked to the availability of water and trees, which they use for sleeping at night.
These monkeys are omnivorous, consuming a wide variety of foods depending on seasonal availability. Their diet primarily consists of plant matter, such as fruits, leaves, seeds, nuts, grasses, flowers, and tree gum. They also supplement their diet with animal matter, including insects, bird eggs, small birds, lizards, and rodents. Vervets can be opportunistic feeders, sometimes raiding human crops.
Their Social World and Communication
Vervet monkeys are highly social animals that live in organized groups called troops, typically ranging from 10 to 70 individuals. Females usually remain in their birth groups throughout their lives, forming the core of the social structure with their offspring. Males, however, often leave their natal groups upon reaching sexual maturity and join new troops.
Within these troops, a complex social hierarchy exists for both males and females. Female dominance hierarchies are often based on maternal social status, with daughters inheriting their mother’s rank. Males establish their hierarchy based on factors like age, tenure in the group, and fighting abilities. This social structure influences access to resources and grooming partners.
Vervet monkeys communicate through a variety of vocalizations and body language. They are particularly known for their distinct alarm calls, which signal the presence of different predators, such as specific calls for leopards, eagles, and snakes, each eliciting a different, appropriate evasive response from the troop. Beyond alarm calls, vervets use other vocalizations for communication, such as contact calls and aggression calls. Body postures and facial expressions, including eyelid displays, are also used to convey threats or submission within the group. Grooming is a significant social behavior that helps maintain relationships and reinforce the dominance hierarchy within the troop.