The Bonnet Macaque is common to the southern part of India and it is characterized by the hair on its head being parted in the middle. The Bonnet Macaque has clumps of hair on top of their heads that looks like they wearing a toupee. The person that named these monkeys thought that they looked like they were wearing a small hat or bonnet. Thus, giving them the name “Bonnet Macaque”.

Bonnet Macaques naturally live in the forests and are commonly found in trees near the roads which are indicated by the lead photo of this post and the two photos below.

Bonnet Macaques are omnivores, meaning they will eat both plants and animal products. Their main diet is fruits, berries, flowers, bird eggs, lizards, insects and leaves. Basically, they are very opportunistic eaters. They will eat almost anything that they can find.

It is also common to find Bonnet Macaques near human town and villages. In these areas they rely heavily on humans for their food sources. They rummage through garbage cans, get food from tourist or local residence and if they live near temples they will eat food left out by the monks or worshipers. The macaque in the photo below has found a plastic straw and is enjoying playing with it.

Bonnet Macaques can live up to 25 to 30 years. They are around 20 inches tall and weigh about 15 pounds with their tail being slightly over 20 inches long. All of the photos in this post were taken on Elephanta Island which is an island near Mumbai, India. The macaques on this island are accustomed to people and look for opportunities to snatch food from someone or to get a handout. When they get food they will quickly dart up into the closest tree to enjoy their prize.