Description

A medium sized macaque, this monkey is a common sight over much of South India and quite unmistakable with its distinctively long tail. The tuft of unruly hair on its head does not quite cover the front where it is neatly parted. The hair radiates outwards to look like a cap, giving it its common name. Generally olive brown in colour, the underparts are distinctly lighter, with a touch of grey. The newborn are a very dark brown in colour. A neat and well groomed monkey, they can look scruffy due the seasonal variations in colour and the texture of the coat .

There are two races. The Southern race, diluta, found south of a line connecting Pondicherry with Shencottah, is paler.

The range extends throughout out Southern India with the northern limits being Bombay on the West and the Godavari River on the East. Replacing the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) of Northern India, this monkey is hard to miss in small towns, villages, at temples, picnic spots and along roads and highways lined with fig trees.

Though their typical forest habitat consists of open dry forests, this is a highly adaptable creature, and is found from sea level upto altitudes of 2000mts. They are happy in the semi desert conditions of the central Deccan plateau, as well as in the wet forests of the Western Ghats where they occupy the edge of forest and open country and human settlements. Groups are also found in wet evergreen forests along with Lion tailed Macaques (Macaca silenus).

Forest dwelling troops of this monkey are very arboreal and generally quite shy. They will not allow close approach by humans and if feeding on the ground will quickly scuttle up to the higher branches of trees. They are good swimmers and will frequently swim across small streams and pools.

On the other hand, troops that have been exposed to humans display remarkable boldness, which varies with the degree of exposure. Around picnic spots, railway stations and bus stops troops often become very bold and individuals will actually intimidate people and even snatch food which they will quickly stuff into their mouth to fill their cheek pouches as fast as possible. At places where they overlap with Common Langur (Semnopithecus entellus), these monkeys will often intimidate their much larger cousins, and chase them off with little effort.

Both in the forest and near human settlements troop size varies from 20 to 30 individuals. While resting and sleeping at night individuals will invariably huddle up and rest together in the higher branches. Scientific studies have revealed that this is a very social monkey with well-defined hierarchy, headed by a dominant male. They have distinct territories, which can extend over 5 sq.km. in area. These are vigorously defended if another troop were to intrude. They communicate through a complex variety of facial expressions a variety of calls, which are an integral part of the troops social structure. The whole troop is prone to go into spasms of absolute terror at the sight of a predator, particularly Leopards (Panthera pardus), at which time they will utter a sharp short screech and will continue to do so till the dreaded enemy is well out of sight