Selection of secondary growth areas by vervet monkeys ( Cercopithecus aethiops )

Habitat selection by a group of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) living on the savanna peninsula of St. Kitts was investigated by the intensive sampling of 12 transects. The vervets exhibited nonrandom use of habitats. Examination of 20 ecological variables in each of the habitat types revealed that the vervets preferentially used areas of secondary growth characterized by high density and diversity of tall food plants. It is suggested that the preferential use of secondary growth habitat can be attributed to the fact that these areas have high levels of plant productivity and that they have a large proportion of their productivity available for consumption.