Vervets are found throughout Africa, from Senegal to Sudan and all the way to the southern tip of Africa. They are adapted to practically all wooded habitats except for rain forest and their preferred habitat is Acacia tree woodland along lakes, rivers and streams. Vervets primarily dwell on the ground but take shelter from predators and sleep in trees. They are relatively slow runners and therefore cannot afford to travel far from the safety of trees.

Vervets organize themselves into complex, but very stable family groups commonly referred to as “troops.” Troops are organized around an alpha male who acts as leader of the group, several smaller groups of closely related adult females and their offspring, and lesser adult males. Males leave their home troop at adolescence and transfer from troop to troop throughout their life. Within the troops there is a clear order of dominance and rank maintained by threats and skill.