The vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) is one of the most common monkeys found in eastern Africa, ranging from Sudan to the southern tip of South Africa. They abound in savannas, forests and even lofty mountains, in areas with a high density of trees. Being highly adaptable, they can even be found close to human dwellings and urban habitats. This species is also found in the Caribbean islands of Barbados and St. Kitts where they were originally introduced as pets. Adult male vervets are larger than the females, and weigh approximately 12 lb, and measure about 24 inches, whereas females weigh somewhere between 10 and 12 lb, and have a body length of approximately 19 inches. These monkeys eat many different types of fruits, flowers, and seeds. Figs are their favorite fruit. If vegetation is scarce, they will even eat birds' eggs, small chicks and birds, and small insects like grasshoppers. Vervets living close to human populations can be a pest and are known to raid fields of corn and destroy other crops. Interesting Facts about the Vervet Monkey

• Vervets are distinguished by its characteristic black face, bordered by a white fringe.
• These diurnal animals are gregarious and live in groups called troops of 40-80, mostly made up of adult females and their offspring. Social hierarchy is very strictly followed in troops. A juvenile's status in a troop is determined by its mother's. Even adult vervets are relegated to lower ranks and have to obey younger monkeys with a higher social status. This hierarchy is very important for the vervets' survival because it controls the relationships, and mating and feeding habits.
• They are born with a pink face and black hair. They take on the grayish-green color like that of the adults after 4 months.
• Male vervets have a blue scrotum and bright red penis.
• Young vervets can be mischievous and purposefully give wrong calls and wait and watch how the adults will respond to such behavior! Female monkeys are known to discipline the young ones for such conduct.
• Young monkeys are very playful, and their favorite activities are chasing one another and pushing each other down from the branches of trees.
• Vervets are excellent jumpers and swimmers.
• Vervets have evolved a unique alarm call, wherein they alert members of their troops of impending predators with clear-cut calls for different animals of prey, like eagle, snake, or leopard. A high-pitched chattering signals the presence of a python or a predatory snake, whereas low-pitched grunts mean an eagle or a bird of prey is hovering above. Juvenile vervets inherit an inborn ability to mimic these warning signals.
• Male vervets emit a shrill sound when marking their territories, and females produce a high-pitched squeal to reject any unwanted advances from males during mating.
• Immediately after birth, the female licks the baby clean and eats up the placenta.
• Adult females look after their young ones, and do not have another offspring till the baby grows up and is mature enough to fend for itself. If she happens to lose her baby, she will mourn for days together, and try to conceive as soon as possible to revive the mother-child bonding experience.
• Female vervets form close social bonds with other females from an early age. As they attain maturity, they even look after and care for a newborn provided the mother readily agrees to leave it in their care.
• As with other monkeys, grooming is an important aspect of vervets. They groom each other by removing lodged dirt and bugs from other vervets' fur.
• They are hunted for bushmeat and are used in laboratory and biomedical research, the tissue of vervets is used to prepare polio vaccines.

Subspecies The vervet monkey can be classified into the following subspecies, namely:

• Chlorocebus pygerythrus excubitor
• Chlorocebus pygerythrus hilgerti
• Chlorocebus pygerythrus nesiotes
• Chlorocebus pygerythrus pygerythrus
• Chlorocebus pygerythrus rufoviridis

Even though vervets are not an endangered species, their population has seen a decline in recent years. Troops living close to human habitation are sometimes killed by high-tension power lines, and people are known to poison them and even shoot them. They are captured for their use in medical research. The bushmeat trade has also contributed to the dwindling population. Deforestation should also be avoided, so we do not disturb their natural habitat. A lot of organizations are involved in conserving vervet monkeys. Together, we should work to safeguard their habitat so these animals can rightfully live and thrive in the African forests.