The Green Monkey was imported from Africa about 350 years ago to the island of Barbados.
If you're an early riser, you will get a good view of these playful creatures. Their color is a range of brown, yellow and olive green - hence the name (larger picture below).
Once the island wakes up, and the tourist and islanders get to moving around, the monkeys tend to hide in the tree tops. In some parts of the island, ropes are strung across the roads to assist the green monkeys movement, and avoid road traffic.
Many Bajans complain about the monkeys raiding their gardens, but most will admit they wouldn't want to give up one of the islands famous icons.
The best place to view the green monkey up close is on a visit to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve.
There are approximately six to seven thousand Green Monkeys on the island, and most of them are found in the wooded areas in the islands interior.
Another good place to view monkeys in their native habitat is the Almond Casuarina Beach Club on the South coast of the island. This resort is very eco friendly, and no trees were cut down in the initial development. The monkeys are also abundant in this area right off the St Lawrence Gap.
In a recent visit we had several groups of friends join us on the island. During the first two weeks none of our friends were able to catch a glimpse of the elusive monkey.
My best friend, along with two other good friends all arrived on the third week of our visit. We rented our time share at Divi Southwinds to them, and they were able to enjoy the Green Monkeys every morning while having breakfast on the hotel balcony. They took pictures of the monkey, video taped them, and just couldn't understand why our other friends had been unable to catch a view of even one monkey.
My husband and I have enjoyed the company of the monkeys for years on the balcony of our time share, and walking the Gap in the mornings.
So on your next visit to Barbados remember to get up early, and you're sure to spot at least one family of Green Monkeys.
Here's a wonderful picture (below) of a Green Monkey stealing bird eggs. I'm so jealous of Douglas Stebila who was able to take some of the best upclose pictures I've seen of the Green Monkey.
Take a look at all the Barbados pictures in Douglas Stebila collection. He is a student at the University of Waterloo. In fact, you'll find a great collection of pictures from all over the world.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THIS GREAT SITE.