Vervet monkey

Vervet monkey
	Adult male vervet monkey
	Calls recorded at Lake Naivasha, Kenya
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Suborder:	Haplorhini
Infraorder:	Simiiformes
Family:	Cercopithecidae
Genus:	Chlorocebus
Species:	C. pygerythrus
Binomial name
	Chlorocebus pygerythrus; F. Cuvier, 1821
	Native range

The vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), or simply vervet, is an Old World monkey of the family Cercopithecidae native to Africa.^[3] The term "vervet" is also used to refer to all the members of the genus Chlorocebus. The five distinct subspecies can be found mostly throughout Southern Africa, as well as some of the eastern countries. These mostly herbivorous monkeys have black faces and grey body hair color, ranging in body length from about 40 cm (16 in) for females, to about 50 cm (20 in) for males.

In addition to behavioral research on natural populations, vervet monkeys serve as a nonhuman primate model for understanding genetic and social behaviors of humans. They have been noted for having human-like characteristics, such as hypertension, anxiety, and social and dependent alcohol use.^[4] Vervets live in social groups ranging from 10 to 70 individuals, with males moving to other groups at the time of sexual maturity. Studies done on vervet monkeys involve their communication and alarm calls, specifically in regard to kin and group recognition, and particular predator sightings.

^ Groves, C. P. (2005). "Chlorocebus pygerythrus". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 159. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
^ Butynski, T.M.; de Jong, Y.A. (2019). "Chlorocebus pygerythrus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T136271A17957823. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T136271A17957823.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^ "Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
^ Palmour, R.; Mulligan, J.; Howbert, J. J.; Ervin, F. (1997). "Of monkeys and men: vervets and the genetics of human-like behaviors". American Journal of Human Genetics. 61 (3): 481–488. doi:10.1086/515526. PMC 1715973. PMID 9326311.

[msw3-1] Groves, C. P. (2005). "Chlorocebus pygerythrus". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 159. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.

[iucn_status_19_November_2021-2] Butynski, T.M.; de Jong, Y.A. (2019). "Chlorocebus pygerythrus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T136271A17957823. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T136271A17957823.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.

[3] "Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 6 June 2023.

[4] Palmour, R.; Mulligan, J.; Howbert, J. J.; Ervin, F. (1997). "Of monkeys and men: vervets and the genetics of human-like behaviors". American Journal of Human Genetics. 61 (3): 481–488. doi:10.1086/515526. PMC 1715973. PMID 9326311.

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