Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Macaca
Habitat
Toque monkeys primarily inhabit the forests of Sri Lanka, including dry evergreen forests, wet zone rainforests, and scrublands. They prefer areas with dense tree cover for foraging and sleeping, and can adapt to human-altered environments like plantations. Their range is mostly confined to the island's central and southern regions.
Diet
Toque monkeys are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, flowers, insects, and occasionally small vertebrates like lizards. They forage in groups during the day, often spending time in trees to access ripe fruits and foliage. Their feeding behavior includes selective browsing to maximize nutrient intake.
Behavior
Toque monkeys live in multi-male, multi-female troops of 10-30 individuals with a defined hierarchy. They are diurnal and arboreal, spending much of their time foraging and grooming in trees, and exhibit territorial behaviors like vocal calls to defend their range. They show strong social bonds through mutual grooming and play, particularly among females and young.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the toque monkey is Vulnerable, with populations declining due to habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture. Major threats include hunting for bushmeat and road accidents in human-dominated areas.