RHESUS MACAQUE

 

👉Local name:      Mankadu,markat, Lal modhavalo vandaro

👉Physical measurements & life cycle:👇

👉Weight:  male-7 to 9 kg, Female-smaller [by about      male. 

👉Height:   50 - 60 cm [seated]

👉Litter size :     1 

👉Life span:      20 - 25 years

👉Breeding:   Round the year, but frequent March to       June. 

👉Description   :   smaller than Hanuman langur. Brownish red body, red face and easy to identify due to small tail and the orange back. 

👉Food   :    Omnivorous (Fruits, young leaves, crops, insects and small animals etc..)  Feeds on the ground. 

👉Distribution  :  Mainly Dangs, Shoolpaneshwar, Vansada & South Gujarat forest, Ratanmahals, forest in Chhota udepur. 

👉Habitat    :     Outskirts of forests, in and around habitation

👉Behavior  :   Rhesus macaque live in highly organized troops in forests and plains and each troop is under the leadership of a dominant male. It can swim well; both on the surface and under water. 

👉Sign of presence  :     Droppings, half eaten leaves and fruits, call, foot prints sound of jumping. Foot prints can easily be seen at the river bank. 

👉The name 'Rhesus macaque' is originated due to the antigen 'rhesus' in the blood of this macaque. It can live up to 25 years in captivity and 4 - 15 years in wilderness. Rhesus macaque was the first among done space journey as a part of experiments by man.