Rhesus Macaque

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Conservation

Why in News?

National Board for Wildlife’s panel has recommended reinstating Rhesus Macaque species of monkeys under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• Purpose- To restore statutory protection against illegal capture and cruelty, and to regulate scientific management.
• Scientific Name - Macaca mulatta.
• Rhesus Macaque - It is one of the most well-known and widespread species of Old-World monkeys.
• Native Range - It is native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia, including countries like India, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Thailand.
• Habitat - They thrive in diverse environments from arid grasslands and woodlands to mountainous regions and, notably, in urban and human-modified landscapes.
• Behavior - They are diurnal (active during the day), arboreal (tree-dwelling), and terrestrial (ground-dwelling).
• They are also known to be strong swimmers.
• Physical Characteristics
  • They are medium-sized monkeys.
  • Males are generally larger than females.
  • Length - About 47–64 cm (19–25 inches), excluding the tail.
  • Weight - Males average around 7.7 kg (17 lb); females average about 5.3 kg (12 lb).11
• Appearance - They have brown or grey-brown fur, and their face is typically a pink or pale reddish color, and is bare of fur.
• They have a moderately long, non-prehensile tail.

• Diet - Rhesus Macaques are omnivores and their diet is highly flexible, adapting to their environment.
• Social Structure - They are highly gregarious, living in multi-male/multi-female groups called troops, which can range in size from 20 up to 200 individuals (sometimes more in provisioned areas).
• Communication - They are very vocal and use a variety of facial expressions, body postures, and gestures for complex social communication.
• Significance - They play an important role in dispersing seeds, and many trees around us are because of the seed dispersal that happens because of their foraging and usual activities.

Reference

The Indian Express | Rhesus Monkeys