Vervet Monkey
Sounds & Calls

The Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) is a species of primate found in east and southern Africa.  

Vervet Monkeys live in close-knit family groups and use a wide range of vocalizations to communicate with one another. Notably, the alarm calls of Vervet Monkeys are acoustically distinct, meaning they possess predator-specific vocalizations to alert the group to what thype of threat has been detected. These alarm calls are generally categorized into three main groups: 1) snake 2) a threat on the ground (eg. a leopard) & 3) a threat overhead in the air (eg. a bird of prey).

What does a Vervet Monkey sound like? Vervet Monkeys make a variety of nasal barking calls, grunts, chatters and squealing sounds. If a terrestrial predator is detected, Vervet Monkeys make a loud nasal, stacatto bark. If an eagle or other threat from above is seen, a deeper, snorting bark is given. And when a snake is spotted,  Vervet Monkeys make a gurgling chatter in alarm. 

Listen to some examples of Vervet Monkey calls and sounds below.