Grivet Monkey - Vervet Monkeys and their Conservation

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Grivet Monkey

Grivet Monkey Chlorocebus aethiops

Where are Grivet Monkeys found?

Grivets are present in Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

Grivet monkeys are normally found close to rivers. They exploit the majority of forest, savannah and mosaic habitats. They seem only to be restricted by the availability of water and sleeping trees, utilizing acacia-dominated savannah as well as dense riverine forests. This species occurs in moist tropical, riverine, gallery, evergreen forest habitats, as well as deciduous, dry forest, savannah, acacia forest, forest mosaic. They also utilize secondary growth and edge forests, as well as mangrove, swamp and thorn scrub forests. In the highlands they have also been recorded in eucalyptus forest. Being extremely adaptable they can live in human-dominated rural and urban environments. Crop-raiding is reported throughout their range.

Groups of grivets range from three to 22 individuals, averaging at about a dozen. Groups are made up of males and females, with males usually outnumbered by females. Social groups work within a social hierarchy. Males migrate to neighbouring groups when sexual maturity is reached while females stay in the groups in whoch they were born (natal group) groups.

Female grivets reach sexual maturity at three years, while males reach sexual maturity later, at five to six years. Gestation is approximately six months, after which a single infant is usually born. Grivets can live for over 30 years.

Studies of this species are not abundant and home range and day range for the species are not reported.

Grivet monkeys are mainkly terrrestrial, moving on four limbs both on the gound and through the trees. They are opportunustic omnivores, eating fruit, seeds, leaves, flowers, gum, bark, grass and insects. Though the consumptoin of animal prey is not recorded, the diet of the grivet is presumed to be similar to the much-studied pygerythrus. Acacia trees are a central part of the Chlorocebus diet. Grivets raid crops and are therefore considered a pest in a lot of their range. They will also accept handouts from tourists.

Grivet Monkey feeding on tree buds