Vervet Monkey Facts

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.

Branch stacking. by Marc MOL on 500px

Bald Uakari Facts

Cacajao calvus

 

The bald uakari is also known as the 'scarlet fever uakari and 'red uakari' as it has a very distinct red face. They are found living in the Amazon jungle.

Their name is pronounced as 'wakari'.

Their red faces are not due to pigmentation but rather the presence of many blood capillaries under the skin.

If a bald uakari shows a pale or almost white complexion this may indicate that the animal is sick. A very red face indicates that the uakari is fit and healthy.

These monkeys are a threatened species and on the verge of extinction. The main reason for the decline in their numbers is due to deforestation for the timber industry and local people hunting them for their meat.

Another contributing factor to their declining numbers is the use of their meat for fishing bait.

The uakari has a very short tail which can't be used to grip on trees but does aid in its balance.

Uakari's are the only short-tail species of the 'new world monkeys'. New world monkeys are those species of monkey that live in southern Mexico, central America and south America.

Bald uakari's have very powerful legs and can quite easily jump 15 - 20 meters (49 - 66 feet) from tree to tree.

Being a very social primate, bald uakari's are found living in troops of 10 - 30 individuals and sometimes up to 100.

Bald uakari's are very slow breeders with females only giving birth to a single baby every two years. Females are sexually mature at 3 years of age and males at 6 years.

Their main diet consists of mainly seeds, fruit, leaves and grasses but they will also feed on insects and small mammals.