BONNET MACAQUE | Macaca radiate

THE BONNET MACAQUE

The is a common diurnal monkey found in Kerala., occurring both in the forests and villages . The troop size may range from 10 to 20 individuals.

Scientific name : Macaca radiate

Local names : Vellamanthi , Nadan kurangu, Mocha, Vellakurnagu.

Habitat : Moist and dry deciduous forest, semi and wet evergreen forest, edges and country side.

Distribution : Distribution all over Kerala. Commonly found in Parambikulam. Wayanad, Idukki and Chimmony wildlife sanctuaries.

Indirect evidences : Faecal matters, discarded leaf portions on the ground , parts of fruits dropped after feeding, calls, foot prints on the ground and banging sound of tree branches when they jump swiftly.

Faecal matters Colour : Grayish to black and smooth in texture. Similar to humans in shape and found on rocky patches or on the ground.

Foot prints : Foot prints are traceable near the river banks.

Calls : Sounds like “ Kra…Kra…Kra…” is produced by all the individuals in a troop. Gives out a shrill warning call by all the members simultaneously, when a bird of prey soar over the sky, or when predators are sighted.

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SLENDER LORIS | Loris tardigradus

THE SLENDER LORIS

The only nocturnal primate in Western Ghats. Usually move fast when encountered. Reported from many of the wildlife sanctuaries, but found to be common in certain pockets of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and parts of Trichur District.

Scientific name : Loris tardigradus

Local name : Kutti thevangu.

Habitat : Deciduous, bamboo and thorn forsts.

Distribution :No correct information is available. However, it has been reported from all over Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Indirect evidences cannot be traced easily and hence hardly dependable. Have a low whistling call audible to 30-40 m.

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THE NILGIRI LANGUR | Presbytis johnii

THE NILGIRI LANGUR

Diurnal and seen in all the habitat types in Kerala. The territorial call of the male “ Hoo-hoo-hoo” can

Be heard from distance in early morning and evening.

Scientific name : Presbytis johnii

Local name : Karim kurangu, kari manthi.

Habitat : Wet evergreen, semi –evergreen and deciduous forest.

Distribution : All over Kerala in the forested areas from an elevation of 90 m above MSL.

Indirect evidences: Droppings, discarded leaf and fruit parts on the ground and calls.

Droppings : Similar to hanuman langur but difficult to locate in the forest areas. Being the more abundant, foot paths and rocks along streams. More often look like cow dung,with no invertebrates and usually flattened on the substrate.

Colour : Grey, green or black.

Foot prints : Foot prints are not traceable in the wild since these monkeys seldom come down .

Calls : “Hoo…hoo…hoo…” Distinct calls heard from a distances will help us to identify these monkeys. Produces of a shrill sound by all the members of a troop whenever a bird of prey soars over the canopy., or when a predator is sighted.

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