Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Chlorocebus
Habitat
Green monkeys primarily inhabit savannas, forests, and riverine areas in West Africa, as well as mangrove swamps. They are adaptable to a variety of terrains including open woodlands and agricultural edges. This species has also been introduced to the Caribbean, where they thrive in similar habitats.
Diet
Green monkeys are omnivores that primarily eat fruits, leaves, flowers, and seeds, with insects and small vertebrates like lizards supplementing their diet. They forage in groups, often in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the heat. Feeding behavior includes selective browsing in trees and on the ground.
Behavior
Green monkeys live in social troops of 10-40 individuals, typically led by a dominant male, with complex hierarchies and grooming behaviors to maintain bonds. They are diurnal, spending their days foraging, playing, and vocalizing to communicate threats or establish territory. These monkeys are agile climbers and swimmers, often raiding crops which brings them into conflict with humans.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status for green monkeys is Least Concern, with a stable population trend in most areas. Major threats include habitat loss due to deforestation and hunting for the bushmeat trade.