The Vervet Monkey (Clorocebus pygerythus) is only one of the more than 250 species of monkey in the world.  The vervet is the most common and widespread monkey in Africa.

Vervet monkeys have a black face with white eyebrow ridges, feet and tail tip; and a silver-grey body.  Adult males weigh around 6 kg and attain a length of 1.1 metres.  They reach sexual maturity at the age of five.  Females weigh 4 kg and are sexually mature at four years of age.

All monkeys belong to the order Primates, as do humans, and, like humans, are one of the few groups of mammals that see in colour.  This is probably associated with their diet.  They are omnivorous, with fruit, seeds, flowers, leaves and insects making up the bulk of their diet.  They will also eat small rodents and birds eggs when their favourite fruit is in short supply.  Colour vision helps monkeys distinguish between the preferred ripe, red fruit and the green unripened fruit.

The Vervet Monkey (Clorocebus pygerythus) is only one of the more than 250 species of monkey in the world.  The vervet is the most common and widespread monkey in Africa.

Vervet monkeys have a black face with white eyebrow ridges, feet and tail tip; and a silver-grey body.  Adult males weigh around 6 kg and attain a length of 1.1 metres.  They reach sexual maturity at the age of five.  Females weigh 4 kg and are sexually mature at four years of age.

All monkeys belong to the order Primates, as do humans, and, like humans, are one of the few groups of mammals that see in colour.  This is probably associated with their diet.  They are omnivorous, with fruit, seeds, flowers, leaves and insects making up the bulk of their diet.  They will also eat small rodents and birds eggs when their favourite fruit is in short supply.  Colour vision helps monkeys distinguish between the preferred ripe, red fruit and the green unripened fruit.

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