Vervet Monkey

africa · primates · clever · communication

Black face, grey body. Vervet monkeys have striking black faces and grey fur that makes them easy to spot in African trees and grasslands. They are small monkeys, with females growing to about 16 inches and males reaching about 20 inches long.

Special warning calls. Each vervet monkey has a unique alarm call for different predators. They make one sound for eagles, another for leopards, and a third for snakes, so the whole group knows exactly what danger is coming.

Found in Africa. Vervet monkeys live throughout Southern Africa and in some eastern African countries, hanging out in trees and open grasslands where they can spot threats from far away.

Plant eaters mostly. These monkeys are mostly herbivorous, spending their days munching on fruits, leaves, and seeds they find in their African homes.

Live in groups. Vervet monkeys are very social animals that live together in troops, and they use their different voices to stay connected and keep everyone safe from danger.