Rhesus Monkey

Rhesus Monkey

Species: Rhesus mulatta
Common Name: Rhesus Monkey
Natural habitat: The Rhesus prefer forest habitats, including semi-desert, dry, deciduous, bamboo, and tropical woodland up to 3000m
Natural foods: They feed on seeds, roots, buds, fruit, invertebrates, bark and cereals
Life expectancy: Rhesus monkeys live for about four years in the wild, although in captivity they can live for up to 30 years
Other comments: Rhesus monkeys live in multi-male, multi-female troops. There is a matrilineal hierarchy (females lead the troop), although males are dominant to females. Males are peripheral to the group and are replaced every few years. Group size depends on environmental characteristics. In areas, where there is little water, groups of 200 may form. Rhesus monkeys are diurnal. They spend a significant proportion of their time on the ground.