5 Facts About the Mona Monkey of Grenada

Visitors to the Spice Isle are often surprised to come across the mona monkey in Grenada. Although it’s not an animal that is indigenous to Grenada, it certainly fits in with the available food and climate.

The Mona monkey is thought to have first come to the island on a ship in the 18th Century from Ghana and has mostly retreated to the interior of Grenada.

They can often be seen at the entrance the Grand Etang National Park but most of them reside in the mountainous rain forest. This is probably a good thing, as they can be little rascals with their naughty ways. They like to help themselves to crops and this could cause havoc with the local farmers.

5 facts about the mona monkey of Grenada

Here are our top 5 facts about the mona monkey:

1. Just like a hamster or a chipmunk, this cheeky little chappy can store food in his cheeks. This food may be a banana or another type of fruit.  Usually living in troops of 30-35 monkeys, they mainly eat fruit, but will sometimes opt for a tasty looking insect or a lush leaf.

2. The Mona monkey originates from Ghana and can be found living in the tropical forests around the Guinea Gulf – including in the countries of Togo, Benin and Cameroon. They have two distinctive white spots on their hips, one each side of their tail. Their underside is bright white and can be easily seen as they travel in the canopies of the forest.

3. Unusually, they’re the only primate that will regularly be seen living in pure mangrove habitat, away from any coastal forest. Although there may be other primates seen in mangrove forests, they will usually be visiting from a nearby substantial coastal rainforest. It’s only the mona monkey that feels at home in this type of environment.

4. The Mona monkey which is 13 to 25 inches from top of head to body and has a tail of 20 to 29n inches long, emits an alarm call that sounds like a sneeze. This is used as a warning that there is danger close by. They also keep contact with another call made at regular intervals when in thick vegetation.

5. To see the mona monkey elsewhere in the Caribbean, there are other islands to visit. They are also said to exist on Anguilla, Barbados, St Kitts and Nevis and Saint Martin.

Where can you see a Mona monkey in Grenada?

To spot a Mona monkey of Grenada, head over to the Grand Etang National Park and you shoud get lucky. Otherwise, you might want to try taking a hike into the forests of the interior with a guide.

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