Bonnet Macaques
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Context: Nine bonnet macaques were found dead in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, raising fears of poisoning or disease.
About Bonnet Macaques:
What it is?
• A primate species endemic to southern India, often found living close to human settlements.
• Known for the distinctive “bonnet-shaped” hair whorl on its head.
Habitat:
• Found across Western Ghats, southern plains, and urban fringes.
• Thrive in evergreen forests, dry deciduous forests, plantations, and village edges.
• Highly arboreal but also terrestrial; adapt well near humans.
IUCN Status: Listed as Least Concern (LC) due to wide distribution.
Features:
• Physical: Color: Greyish-brown to golden-brown fur, pinkish hairless face. Size: 3.9 kg (female) to 6.7 kg (male); body length 35–60 cm (excluding tail). Males larger than females (sexual dimorphism).
• Color: Greyish-brown to golden-brown fur, pinkish hairless face.
• Size: 3.9 kg (female) to 6.7 kg (male); body length 35–60 cm (excluding tail).
• Males larger than females (sexual dimorphism).
• Biological: Reproduction: Annual breeding season (Sept–Oct); single offspring after ~24 weeks gestation. Lifespan: 20–25 years in wild; up to 35 years in captivity. Females give birth to ~5 offspring before menopause (~27 years).
• Reproduction: Annual breeding season (Sept–Oct); single offspring after ~24 weeks gestation.
• Lifespan: 20–25 years in wild; up to 35 years in captivity.
• Females give birth to ~5 offspring before menopause (~27 years).
• Social: Live in multi-male, multi-female troops averaging ~30 individuals. Linear dominance hierarchy; females are philopatric (stay in natal groups). Strong social grooming bonds; unique tolerance of juveniles by dominant males.
• Live in multi-male, multi-female troops averaging ~30 individuals.
• Linear dominance hierarchy; females are philopatric (stay in natal groups).
• Strong social grooming bonds; unique tolerance of juveniles by dominant males.
• Food Habits: Omnivorous and opportunistic. Diet: Fruits, seeds, insects, crops, and human food waste. Frequently forage in urban and semi-urban areas, often raiding households and plantations.
• Omnivorous and opportunistic.
• Diet: Fruits, seeds, insects, crops, and human food waste.
• Frequently forage in urban and semi-urban areas, often raiding households and plantations.