Known for its distinctive features, including a prominent, rounded forehead and a “bonnet” of hair that gives it its name, this monkey is an integral part of India’s wildlife. Their fur is a mix of grayish-brown on their back and lighter shades on their underside, with a hint of reddish tint around their faces and hands. Their striking, large eyes and playful demeanor make them easily recognizable.

These monkeys communicate through a complex range of vocalizations, facial expressions, and body postures, which allows them to express their feelings and intentions clearly to one another. Their social bonds are strong, and grooming is an important activity that helps maintain group harmony. Although their primary diet consists of fruits, seeds, and leaves, they are also known to adapt to urban environments and scavenge human food, often in temples and parks where they interact with humans.

An interesting aspect of bonnet macaques is their remarkable intelligence. They are known to use tools and exhibit problem-solving abilities that are impressive even for primates. In some studies, these monkeys have been observed to use sticks to reach food or create tools to open hard-to-access food sources. In certain areas, bonnet macaques have become adept at navigating human-dominated spaces, even learning to open car doors and raid unattended bags for food. Their curiosity and adaptability make them both endearing and sometimes a little troublesome when it comes to human interaction.

Another fun fact about bonnet macaques is their somewhat unusual mating habits. Unlike many other primate species, bonnet macaques do not have a fixed mating season. Instead, mating occurs year-round, although it is more common during certain periods when food is abundant.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

India

VU

2015