Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata): The Social Climbers
The bonnet macaque, a lively and intelligent monkey native to southern India, is a master of social interaction. These monkeys live in large troops with a strict hierarchy, where grooming plays a vital role in maintaining bonds and resolving conflicts.
Their name comes from the distinctive "bonnet" of hair on their heads. Bonnet macaques are highly adaptable and are often seen near human settlements, raiding crops or scavenging food. They are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, insects, and even leftovers from humans.
Bonnet macaques are excellent parents, with mothers fiercely protective of their young. Juveniles spend their days playing, learning vital survival skills through mimicry and trial and error. Despite their adaptability, urbanization and habitat destruction threaten their populations. Efforts are underway to preserve their natural habitats and ensure peaceful coexistence with humans.