The Macaca mulatta, commonly called the Rhesus Macaque, is one of the best known species of Old World monkeys.

This monkey has grizzled brown fur on its dorsum and lighter brownish fur on the center of its body. The fur on the head is short and adult macaques have a distinguishing red face and rump. These monkeys range from 45 to 64 centimeters long, the tail adding another 19 to 32 centimeters. Males can weigh 6.5 to 12 kilograms, females only weighing 5.5 kilograms on average. The longevity of this animal can be up to thirty years in captivity, but only four years in the wild.

The Macaca mulatta is an omnivorous animal that eats roots, herbs, fruits, insects, crops, and even small animals. Their diet also varies with season. For example, Rhesus monkeys that live in the mountainous forests of Northern Pakistan feed on clovers in the summer; in the winter, they consume food with lower nutritional value and a higher fiber content (ex: pine needles, oak leaves). The macaques choose their environment carefully, with respect to their food resources. They do not exhibit a higher mortality rate but may lose a considerable percentage of body weight by this seasonal change in their diet.

Rhesus monkeys are widespread and commonly found in southern Asia, western Afghanistan, through India, to Northern Thailand. Some live in flatlands, and even the Himalayas at elevations reaching up to 3000 meters. Small groups can be found in densely populated urban areas of Northern India. They were also introduced into Florida of the United States, and Cayo Santiago Island near Puerto Rico. They are even able to acclimate from hot dry temperatures to cold winter temperatures, giving them a wide range of areas to live.

The population of the Rhesus Macaque is widely distributed in south, southeast, and East Asia. These groups are sizable, but increasingly commensal with humans, having a result of fragmentation of dissemination. They are wary of potential predators; it is likely that large predators, snakes, and raptors prey on them. These animals are at lower risk, but near threatened on the ICUN Red List. On the US Federal List, there is no special status, and is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

Some interesting facts about the Macaca mulatta is that the common name “Rhesus” comes from Greek, Rhesos, the king of Thrace who assisted Priam at Troy. Jean-Baptiste Audebert, the person who applied the name to the species, stated it had no meaning. Another really interesting fact is that the name “Rhesus” is responsible for the naming of the hereditary blood antigen RH-factor that was discovered in their red blood cells in 1940. RH-factor is also found in humans. A fun fact is that this species of monkey was the first to work with NASA and be launched into space along with being the first cloned primate.

The Macaca mulatta is one of the most familiar Old World monkeys in view of its wide distribution, surmised large population, and its tolerance of a broad range of habitats. These animals are used extensively in research, such as biological and medical work, making them very well known.

 

Author: Jesselyn B.
Published: 1/2013  

Sources:  Http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/en

Photo Credit:  http://www.treknature.com/gallery