Grivet

Ethiopian Vervet monkey ( Chlorocebus aethiops )

The Ethiopian Vervet monkey ( Chlorocebus aethiops ) is a primate of the family Cercopithecidae ( Cercopithecidae ). It is one of six species in the African green monkeys are distinguished in recent classifications.

Features

These monkeys reach a body length of 40 to 60 centimeters and a tail length of up to 70 centimeters and a weight of 4-6 kg, the males are significantly heavier than the females. The coloring of their fur varies from yellowish to greenish brown at the top, the bottom is white, the hands and feet are black. The face is black, on the forehead and cheeks are white fur stripes.

Distribution and habitat

Ethiopian vervet monkeys live in northeastern Africa, their range includes the Sudan to the east of the White Nile, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. They are not particularly picky in terms of their habitat and are found in open forests and savannas. However, they are dependent on sleeping trees.

Way of life

These animals are like all Old World monkeys diurnal and talk to each other on the trees and on the ground. They live in large groups consisting of several males, many females and their offspring. In the groups males and females establish a distinct hierarchy in the access to food resources and mutual grooming is expressed among others.

They are omnivorous, although they preferred to take fruits and flowers to himself, in case of need but also other parts of plants and also eat small animals.

Threat

The hunting and habitat destruction are likely to be the main threat to this species. But exact details are not possible, the IUCN does not list separately the various species of vervet monkeys.

System

Previously all Greens were summarized monkeys of the African continent to a single species, the ( Cercopithecus aethiops earlier ) contributed the scientific name Chlorocebus aethiops. Today, six types are distinguished based on morphological criteria, the Ethiopian Vervet monkey as type species continue to maintain that scientific name. The use of this name is not clear and the systematic position dependent.