Chlorocebus pygerythrus
In South Africa the Afrikaans people call the vervet monkey a 'blou aap' which translates to 'blue ape'. This name describes the monkeys scrotum which is a very distinctive blue colour.
Vervet monkeys have 33 different vocalizations, many of which are alarm calls used to warn other members of potential dangers such as snakes, eagles, leopards and humans. Each predator has is own unique alarm call so that the monkeys know what to look for.
The vervet monkey is also called the 'Green monkey' in different regions of Africa.
Youngsters have been know to play with young baboons but as adults baboons will feed on vervet monkeys.
Unlike most of the worlds monkeys the vervet monkey will swim in dams and rivers.
Vervet monkeys are a popular research animals used in laboratories. The tissue from the vervet monkey is used in the polio vaccine.
It is a myth that these monkeys are carriers of rabies asthere has never been a recorded case of a rabid vervet monkey
Vervet monkeys may be carriers of a virus called 'Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever. This virus was first discovered in 1967 in laboratories in Marburg and Frankfurt when specimens of vervet monkey where taken from Uganda for research purposes. 31 people were infected with the virus of which 7 died.
Their diet consists of mainly fruit, flowers, leaves and grasses but they will also feed on insects and small mammals. Unlike most animals the vervet monkey has a full colour-vision which comes in useful when identifying ripe from unripe fruit.
The collective none for vervet monkeys is a 'TROOP', or 'CARTLOAD'.
Troop sizes range from 10 to 40 members which are looked after by an Alpha and Beta male. Only the Alpha male may mate with any sexually mature females. The beta male searches for food and acts as a look-out for dangerous predators and will sound the alarm if one is spotted.
In the wild vervet monkeys have a lifespan of up to 20 years. In captivity they are known to live up to 30 years.
