Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)
commonly known in Hindi as Lal Mukh or Red Face. This little guy and his
friends are a major source of trouble in India right now, primarily
due to their ability to adapt to the adverse environmental conditions created
by their human kin. A Monkey's Tale features lal mukh in a number of
typical situations such as stealing sun glasses and returning them in exchange
for treats. They really love tomatoes.
(Photo:Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta in Kinnerasani Wildlife
Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.
J.M.Garg,)
The Gray Langur or Hanuman's Langur (Semnopithecus
entellus, although there's lots of taxonomical talk about them),
known in Hindi as Kala Mukh, have been enlisted as Macaque police in some
cities. They are larger than their red cousins and have a somewhat different
lifestyle. A Monkey's Tale features the story of a coup d'etat in a langur troop.
(Photo:Family of Grey Langeurs near
Theppakadu Log House, Mudumalai National Park, Marcus334)
Gee's Golden Langur (Trachypithecus
geei) is an endangered species discovered by E.P. Gee in the 1950's
and sacred to the hill tribes in Assam. The unknown species of golden monkey in
Rajasthan featured in the book is NOT a Gee's Golden Langur, nor is it
the rare genetic variation that occurs occasionally in Rhesus macaques. No, the
Golden Monkey of Rajasthan is yet to be discovered.
(Photo: Golden Langur CC-BY-SA-2.5.Doniv79)
The Tibetan Macaque is the largest of the Macaques. He is sometimes found in north-east India, butt resides primarily in China and Tibet. Tibetan macaques are known for a peculiar peace making behavior known as "infant bridging." A male Tibetan appears in our story to explain the practice and philosophize that one should, "Make love not war." (Photo: Tibetan Macaque on Mount Emei, China, 10 June 2006, Wikipedia, Plastic TV)
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