He’s got the Blues

[Back to Botswana!]

Vervet monkeys, Cercopithecus aethiops, pop up from time to time in my blogs. They’re widely distributed in Africa, and often hang out near lodges where they raid the tables and kitchens. These were nowhere near any lodges, I’m happy to say.

The mature males have famously blue scrotums, and this guy (and his family) were close enough that you can see them rather clearly in the closeups below!

He was hanging out and grooming, while acting as a lookout for the females foraging in the long grass below.

Sleepily, he allowed us a good look at his rather intimidating dentition.

They mostly eat flowers, leaves, and fruit, but as you can probably guess, his diet includes meat. They have been seen killing and eating tree squirrels, and francolins.

There were some youngsters behind him,

and one was getting brave:

They have exquisite fur, and a fearless gaze:

and a very long tail: