Bonnet Macaques

Bonnet Macaques Latest News

Recently, the Forest department has registered a case into the mysterious deaths of nine Bonnet macaques near Palode in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

About Bonnet Macaques

• The bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata ), also known as zati, is a species of macaque endemic to southern India. 
• Behavior: These species are arboreal and terrestrial quadrupeds, live in multimale-multifemale troops. They are diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. 
• They are highly arboreal and are strong swimmers.
• Communication: They have adopted a wide array of communication methods through gestures, facial expressions, and sounds. 
• Habitat: They are found in a variety of habitats, including evergreen high forest and dry deciduous forest of the Western Ghat Mountains.
• Distribution: The presence of the species has been recorded in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat,
• Diet: They are omnivorous and eat fruits, nuts, seeds, leaves, insects, soil, small invertebrates, eggs, and reptiles. 
• Reproduction: The bonnet macaque gestation period (pregnancy) lasts around 5-6 months.
• Ecological Role: Bonnet macaques that live within forests involuntarily help with tree reproduction by spreading their seeds throughout the landscape.
• Conservation Status of 
  • IUCN: Vulnerable 
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Source: TH

‹ ›