Green Monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) lives in tropical forests across Sub-Saharan Africa. It feeds on fruits and insects. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Green Monkey
- Male green monkeys display a striking pale blue scrotum that contrasts sharply with their golden-green coat. This vivid colour is part of a broader sexual dimorphism, as males are generally larger than females. Wild adult males weigh between 3.9 and 8.0 kg and measure 420-600 mm, while females are lighter and shorter.
- Unlike its close relatives, the green monkey does not have a distinctive band of fur across the brow, giving it a smoother facial appearance. Its overall pelage is a golden-green colour with pale hands and feet, and the tail tip, thighs and cheek whiskers are highlighted in golden yellow. These colour patterns help individuals recognise conspecifics within their social groups.
- A small colony of green monkeys lives in Broward County, Florida, descended from zoo escapees in the 20th century. The escaped individuals established a lasting wild population there.
- Green monkeys keep their troops safe by using a repertoire of distinct vocal alarms that signal the presence of predators. Each alarm is tailored to a particular threat, allowing members to react appropriately to leopards, eagles or snakes. In addition to sound, they reinforce danger warnings with bold body displays, such as flashing their brightly coloured genitalia, which also helps establish dominance within the group.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeSub-Saharan Africa
HabitatTropical forests
DietFruits and insects
About the Green Monkey
In the lush canopies of the tropical forests, the green monkey swings with effortless agility, its vibrant fur glistening like emeralds in the dappled sunlight as it navigates the intricate network of branches with precision and speed. With a nimble grace, it leaps from tree to tree, its long tail a counterbalance to its acrobatic antics, as it forages for fruit, leaves, and insects to sustain its energetic and social lifestyle. As it moves through its domain, the green monkey's expressive face and intelligent eyes seem to convey a deep connection to its surroundings, a true embodiment of the forest's vivacity and resilience.
Hear the Green Monkey, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
