Macaca sinica

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Toque Macaque
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Family:	Cercopithecidae

Macaca sinica, commonly known as the Toque Macaque, is a species of Old World monkey endemic to Sri Lanka. It is characterized by its distinctive toque-shaped whorl of hair on the top of its head, which gives the species its common name.

Description

The Toque Macaque is a medium-sized primate with a body length ranging from 40 to 60 cm and a tail length of 40 to 50 cm. Males are generally larger than females, with males weighing between 4.1 to 8.4 kg and females weighing between 2.5 to 4.5 kg. The fur is generally light brown with a golden hue, and the underparts are lighter.

Habitat and Distribution

Macaca sinica is found exclusively in Sri Lanka, where it inhabits a variety of environments including tropical rainforests, dry deciduous forests, and urban areas. The species is highly adaptable and can be found from sea level to elevations of 2,000 meters.

Behavior and Ecology

Toque Macaques are diurnal and primarily arboreal, although they are also known to forage on the ground. They are social animals, living in groups that can range from 8 to 40 individuals. These groups are typically composed of multiple males and females, with a clear dominance hierarchy.

The diet of the Toque Macaque is omnivorous, consisting of fruits, seeds, leaves, insects, and occasionally small vertebrates. They are known to raid crops and can become pests in agricultural areas.

Reproduction

The breeding season of the Toque Macaque varies depending on the region, but it generally occurs during the dry season. Females give birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of approximately 5.5 months. The young are weaned at about 6 months of age but remain dependent on their mothers for up to a year.

Conservation Status

The Toque Macaque is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, hunting, and conflict with humans. Conservation efforts are focused on habitat protection and reducing human-wildlife conflict.

Also see

• Macaca
• Old World monkey
• Endangered species
• Sri Lankan wildlife

References

This Sri Lanka-related article is a stub.