The Barbados Green Monkey

The playful antics of the Barbados green monkey, as they play and frolic in the wooded areas bordering the Sandy Lane golf course. 

No-doubt would have fascinated those of you who were watching the Barbados world Cup of Golf... This playful, mischievous and elusive little creature is Barbados most popular animal. 

This monkey has lived on the island for the last 350 years having been brought here in the mid 1600’s on board ships which transported slaves from Senegal and Gambia in West Africa.

It quickly adapted to the conditions on the island and has survived to this day... But it has not been all fun and frolic for this inteligent little creature.

Over the years the monkey has had a mixed relationship with the people of the island... Its destruction of local crops has often had it at odds with the local farming community.

From as for back as the late 1600’s the green monkey was considered an agricultural pest... reeking havoc on the island’s crops.

This resulted in a bounty being place on the monkey... and to this day a bounty is still on the Barbados green monkey.

But even with the bounty on its head and a local community willing to hunt it down for the reward, the Barbados monkey has survived...

By using its wits the it has retreated to the wooded gullies and ravines where its capture is near impossible.

Barbados Green Monkey Facts

I know you maybe shock to find out that this monkey also known as the Vervet monkey can be found in Barbados... Yes this mischievous medium sized primate originally came from sub-Saharan Africa.

When fully grown it’s approximately 40 to 43 cm tall and weighs between 4 and 4.5 kg. The colour of the Barbados monkey is a mixture of hues and shades, its body is a grey, greenish-brown while the hair around its face is a whitish yellow and its hands and feet are black.

Contrary to popular belief the vervet monkey is not a forest dweller although it has been force to seek refuge in the wooded areas of the island for its survival.

The monkey spend most of the day on the ground feeding, but as night approaches they can be seen heading into the trees where they spend the night.

They can often be seen in large groups consisting of males, females and some offspring. The primary diet of the monkey is fruit and other food crops and they need a ready source of drinking water.

The best place to see the green monkey

Over the last twenty years the monkey has been push further in to the wooded gullies as the development of the island took place.

These days’ sightings of the monkey aren’t as common as before...but if you are in any of the rural areas of the island you may still be in time to see its playful antics.

In fact this elusive creature has been known to entertain the guest staying at some of the luxury villas on Barbados popular West coast...

As a matter of fact they would often frequent the mature tropical gardens at the luxurious Nelson Gay villas around tea-time.

But if you miss this elusive little creature playfully swinging around the trees at your hotel or while you are out sightseeing you can always take a tour of the Barbados Wildlife Reserve...

At the reserve you can see the monkeys around 2pm in their natural habitat during feeding time.