vervet monkey

Any of several African races of slim, arboreal, diurnal Old World monkeys of the guenon species Cercopithecus aethiops and C. pygerythrus (family Cercopithecidae). They have large cheek pouches. The arms and legs are long, and the nonprehensile tail is longer than the head-and-body length of 12–26 in. (30–65 cm). The soft, dense fur of many species has a speckled effect and bold markings of white or bright colours. The face, chin, hands, and feet of C. aethiops races are black.