Vervet Monkey
wildlife of Namibia
Introduction - - The vervet monkey is the most common monkey of the woodland-savanna. The male vervet has a bright blue scrotum which is an important symbol of its status in the troop. Vervet monkeys quickly learn where easy food can be found and often raid lodges and camp-sites. Vervets are highly social animals, and occur in well organised troops. Access to food recourses is determined by the dominance hierarchy within the troop. In Namibia the vervet monkey is only found around the Orange River and in the north eastern Caprivi Region.
Diet - Vervet monkeys tend to be omnivorous, feeding on fruit, flowers, leaves and insects, which constitutes the bulk of their diet.
Colouring - Silver - grey hair and black face fringed with white. The male has a distinctive bright blue scrotum.
Breeding - a seasonal breeder with single young born between March and May after a gestation period of 140 days.
Size - Males have a mass of 6kg and measure 1.1 m in length, whereas females are slightly smaller and weigh only 4kg.
