Vervet Monkey - Cercopithecus pygerythrus

One of the more familiar faces around the safari scene are these cheeky Vervet Monkeys. They are a highly intelligent animal that moves around the savannah and forest in a tight knit troop. These monkeys are one of the alarm bells of the bush, as they sound off loud barking alarm calls when a predator is spotted, this in turn warns other animals of the presence of danger. 

The Males don a bright blue scrotum, one of the strangest sites of the animal kingdom. They make very caring mothers, as babies are carried around on their mums belly for much of their first year. 

They are listed by the IUCN as ‘Least Concern’ but do face threats from habitat degradation. Where their population overlaps with humans they are widely considered pests as they raid crops and kitchens.