Between Trees and Temples: Monkeys in India
In India, monkeys are an important part of the country's ecology and culture, contributing to its varied environment in both beneficial and difficult ways. By spreading seeds through the fruits they consume, monkeys play a vital role in the ecology. They help different plant species develop, which contributes to preserving the biodiversity of forests. There are many different kinds of monkeys in India, but the two most prevalent species are the Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata) and the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta). The latter is an Old-World monkey species known by the common name "rhesus monkey". They are brown primates with pink faces and red rears. Their heads are covered in closely trimmed hair. They make a lot of noise and are quite animated. Rhesus is smaller than the Bonnet Macaque. Unlike Bonnets, rhesus do not have longer tails. Their tails are short and stumpy. The Bonnet monkey gets its name from the tuft of long hair that appe...