Rhesus monkey

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Rhesus Monkey
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Primates
Family:	Cercopithecidae

The Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta) is a species of Old World monkey native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia. It is one of the best-known species of primates and has been extensively studied in both the wild and in captivity. The Rhesus Monkey is notable for its adaptability to a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas.

Description

Rhesus Monkeys are medium-sized primates with a body length ranging from 47 to 53 cm and a tail length of 20 to 22 cm. They have a brown or grey coat, with a pink face that is bereft of fur. Adult males weigh between 6.5 and 12 kg, while females are smaller, weighing between 5.5 and 7.5 kg.

Distribution and Habitat

Rhesus Monkeys are found across a wide geographical range, from Afghanistan to northern India and southern China. They inhabit a variety of environments, including tropical forests, temperate forests, grasslands, and even urban areas where they often come into contact with humans.

Behavior

Rhesus Monkeys are highly social animals, living in groups that can range from 20 to 200 individuals. These groups are organized in a strict hierarchy, with dominant males and females leading the group. They are diurnal, spending most of their day foraging for food, which includes fruits, seeds, roots, and insects.

Reproduction

The breeding season for Rhesus Monkeys typically occurs between October and December. Females give birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of about 164 days. The young are weaned at around one year of age but remain dependent on their mothers for several more months.

Significance in Research

Rhesus Monkeys have played a crucial role in medical and biological research. They were instrumental in the development of the polio vaccine and have been used in studies of neuroscience, behavioral science, and immunology. The Rhesus factor, an important element in blood transfusion compatibility, was first discovered in this species.

Conservation Status

The Rhesus Monkey is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its wide distribution and large population. However, habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflict pose ongoing threats to some populations.

Also see

• Old World monkey
• Primate
• Polio vaccine
• Rhesus factor