Living Wild: Green Monkeys

As you start to explore the island, these - oh so very talked about - creatures can be seen in many locations around Barbados. It is said by many that the Green Monkey was brought to Barbados in the 17th century from Senegal and Gambia in West Africa as gifts for the settlers. The full of charchter and persona monkeys are usually seen traveling in a group and cheerfully playing with one another. You can see them in the countryside or even as a pet on the beaches of the island.The green monkey's fur varies between the different species from a pale yellow colour to green-grey brown to dark brown fur. Their hands, face and feet are of a light colour with the abdominal skin having a blue tint. These monkeys are the most omnivorous of the primates eating flowers, berries, fungi, bird eggs, rodents and even vertebrate prey. The green monkeys communicate with both verbal and non verbal cues and have distinct calls when they are warning each other of predators. You may often see the mother monkey carrying their offspring around with them as they take care of their young for up to 1 year before they allow them to venture out as individual adults.

We would suggest that you keep your distance from these animals as many of them are wild and do not interact with humans in a close environment. If they do feel threatened they will react and may possibly attack. They are lovely creatures to observe and watch as they have so much character and many funny antics. You might even see one of them steal a drink or piece of food from a nearby traveler! 

Have you ever seen these monkeys in Barbados?