Rhesus Monkeys

Rhesus Monkeys - Distribution

Rhesus Monkeys are found in Afghanistan, India, Thailand and Southern China. Also these monkeys have been introduced into the West Indies on Cayo Santiago, a small island off the eastern tip of Puerto Rico. This species used to be abundant in southern China and Tibet before humans led to the dwindling of populations in these areas over the last sixty years. As these monkeys are used for research, today populations are kept in captivity worldwide.

Picture source:
Birds of Kolkata © 2001-2003
Sumit K. Sen

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Cercopithecinae
Subfamily: Cercopithecinae
Genus: Macaca
Species: Macaca mulatta
Subspecies: There are three subspecies of Rhesus Monkeys.
Life Span: Rhesus Monkeys live for about four years in the wild; while in captivity, they can live for up to 30 years.

Rhesus Monkeys - Statistics

Height: Male's height is about 21-25 inches.
Body length: 45-64cm
Tail length: 19-32cm
Weight: Males 6.5-12kg, Females 5.5kg
Coat: Short, coarse brown to yellow. Reddish face is common to all macaques.

Rhesus Monkeys - Physical Description

Rhesus Monkeys have brown fur. Adults have a red face and rump. The under-parts of a Rhesus Monkey are lighter brown-colored, and the hair on top of the head is short.

Picture source:
BBCi ©
MMIII

Rhesus Monkeys - Habitat

Rhesus Monkeys usually live in forests. They also prefer semi-desert, dry, deciduous, bamboo, and tropical woodland up to 3,000m.

Rhesus Monkeys - Diet

They feed on seeds, roots, buds, fruit, invertebrates, bark and cereals. Thus, the amount of ripe fruits is 74%, invertebrate animals - 12%, plants and vertebrates - 14%.

Rhesus Monkeys - Behavior

According to researches made with reference to Rhesus Monkeys, the monkeys can match up sounds and facial expressions. It hints that our capacity to do likewise may have evolved from our primate ancestors. In captivity and the wild, Rhesus Monkeys produce a variety of noises; they are very talkative and communicative.

When in danger a Rhesus Monkey will make a short, sharp threatening call - the eyes are wide, ears flat, mouth wide open. When there is no danger and the animals are calm they may 'coo' with lips pouting and open just a little. Vocalization is highly important for Rhesus Monkeys groups.