Green Monkeys Of Barbados

Green Monkeys of Barbados


The tropical island of Barbados is famous for its stunning beaches and paradise-like landscape. It is also endowed with an overabundance of natural wonder along its exotic species of the animal kingdom. Among the scene-stealers are the tiny mischievous creatures popularly known as the green monkeys of Barbados. The origins of this variety of monkeys can be traced back to Senegal and Gambia, located at the west part of Africa. After 75 generations of evolution, this variety emerged and was transported by Africans who migrated to Barbados harboring hopes of finding a much better life. However, the change of environmental makeup has generally contributed to the characteristics of green monkey of Barbados in comparison to those that thrive in West Africa.


The green monkeys of Barbados are predominantly found in the lush vegetations and woodlands in the parishes of St. John, St. Andrew and St. Thomas. There have been reports on green monkey sightings even in some hotel grounds in St. Peter. An up close and personal observation would tell you that like other apes, infant monkeys are carried in the protective arms of the mother until it is mature enough to fend for itself.


The green monkeys of Barbados are born with a somewhat bluish tint and have scarce fur coatings. As they mature, the fur naturally thickens, with a brownish gray color with some specks of yellow and olive green hues - thus the name green monkeys. Although tourists find them enchanting to watch with their impish behaviors, farmers have long considered them as pests. There are also some reports that a number of scientists want to hunt the green monkeys of Barbados to get their kidneys for laboratory experiments.

In the entire Caribbean, there are about 10, 000 monkeys of this particular breed, which gives us a ratio of 20 people: 1 monkey. A lot of local people have made a quite of hunting monkeys since their tails are known to be used for polio vaccines. Although majority of the green monkeys of Barbados are left in the wild to thrive, some individuals have kept them for pets. They are quite agile and feed on some tropical fruits such as papaya, mango and banana.

Through the years, the locals and the tourists have learned to cohabit in the small island and have somehow some sort of understanding as to their limitations and boundaries. However, there are rare and priceless moments where you will see them jumping atop a commercial building rooftop and in the blink of an eye you will find them gone. So tourists are advised to keep their eyes peeled for some rare sightings of the exotic animal.