Bonnet macaque facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bonnet macaque |
|
|---|---|
_Photograph_By_Shantanu_Kuveskar.jpg) |
|
| Bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata), Mangaon, Maharashtra, India | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Macaca
|
| Species: |
radiata
|
 |
|
| Bonnet macaque range | |
| Synonyms | |
|
|
_juvenile_2.jpg)
The bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata), also called zati, is a type of monkey found only in southern India. This means it is endemic to that area. It lives near the Indian Ocean and between the Godavari and Tapti Rivers. Sometimes, its territory overlaps with another monkey, the rhesus macaque. Changes in how land is used have affected where these monkeys live. This has raised some concerns about their future in the wild.
Bonnet macaques are active during the day, which means they are diurnal. They spend time both in trees (arboreal) and on the ground (terrestrial). Males are usually larger than females. A male's body can be about 51 to 60 centimeters long, with a tail up to 69 centimeters. Females are smaller, with bodies around 34 to 52 centimeters and tails up to 63 centimeters. Males weigh between 5.4 and 11.6 kilograms, while females weigh 2.9 to 5.5 kilograms. In zoos or special care, they can live for up to 35 years.
These macaques eat many different things. Their diet includes fruits, nuts, seeds, and flowers. They also eat small insects and grains. In southern India, they often live close to people. They might eat food given by humans or sometimes find food in crops and houses.
Contents
Discover the Bonnet Macaque!
Where Do Bonnet Macaques Live?
There are two main types, or subspecies, of bonnet macaques:
- Macaca radiata radiata: This one is also known as the dark-bellied bonnet macaque. You can find it in South and West India, between the Tapti River, Palni Hills, and Timbale. Long ago, in the 1500s, some of these macaques were brought to islands like Mauritius and Réunion.
- Macaca radiata diluta: This is the pale-bellied bonnet macaque. It lives in Southeast India, in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Its home stretches from the southern coast up to Kambam and east to Puducherry.
The Life Cycle of a Bonnet Macaque
Bonnet macaques are ready to have babies when they are about three to four years old. Most babies are born between February and April, just before the rainy season called the monsoon begins. A mother macaque is pregnant for about 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. Usually, only one baby is born at a time.
Young macaques drink their mother's milk for about six to seven months. After that, their mother helps them start eating solid foods. Other monkeys in the group, especially female relatives, often show a lot of interest in the new baby during its first few months.
How Bonnet Macaques Behave
Bonnet macaques use many different gestures and actions to communicate. One common friendly behavior is 'lip-smacking.' This is when a monkey quickly opens and closes its mouth, making a soft sound. It's like saying hello or showing they are friendly.
If a monkey is scared or wants to show respect to a more powerful monkey, it might make a 'grimace.' This means pulling back its upper lip to show its top teeth. They also have special alarm calls. These calls warn the group if dangerous animals like pythons or leopards are nearby.
Social Life of Macaques
Bonnet macaques are very social animals. They use many different facial expressions to talk to each other. Like other macaques, they have a social order, or 'dominance hierarchy.' This means some monkeys are more in charge than others. The 'alpha male' is the most dominant male in the group. Other males follow in rank, like a beta male and a gamma male. Females also have their own ranking system. Usually, males are more dominant than females. In their groups, female macaques often stay with the group they were born into. Males, however, often move to different groups.
The social order for females usually stays the same. But for males, it can change a lot. Males close in rank might have disagreements to try and move up. A male has the best chance to become a high-ranking member when he is in his prime. Higher-ranking males often get to mate first. Females are ready to have babies only for a few months each year. This can lead to competition among males. Most disagreements are solved easily. However, sometimes, competition between strong males can lead to serious conflicts.
Sometimes, mother macaques try to take care of babies from other females, especially those lower in the group. Most of the time, these attempts are not successful. Males might work together to challenge a more dominant male. They often move between groups to try and get a higher rank. But some males stay in one group and still manage to become the most dominant.
Interestingly, male bonnet macaques are often more relaxed and peaceful than males of other macaque species. They don't compete as fiercely. Instead, they often groom each other, hug, sleep close together, and play. This peaceful behavior might be because they live in places with plenty of food. Bonnet macaques are also good swimmers.
Female macaques tend to stay in their birth groups. This creates strong family groups of related females, called 'matrilines.' This helps keep their social order stable.
