Monkey mascots are sacred animals in India. South India. Canine Pregnancy Syndrome
India is a country that is located in the southern part of Asia, most of it is located on the Hindustan peninsula. This state washes Indian Ocean, namely its Bengal and Arabian bays.
Animal world of India
The territory of this country is inhabited by many species of mammals, birds, insects and reptiles. Animal world India is very diverse. The most common here are such representatives of the fauna as camels, monkeys, elephants, cows, snakes.
Camel
These are the most common animals in India, they are mainly used for transporting goods, as well as for riding, in ancient times they even participated in battles.
There are two types of this animal - dromedary and bactrian, that is, one-humped and two-humped. Camels are herbivores. They are able to feed on those desert plants that are not eaten by any other animals. This, for example, An adult animal weighs about 500-800 kilograms, and it lives 30-50 years. The body of camels is very well adapted to survival in the desert. Thanks to specific form red blood cells, a camel can drink an impressive amount of water at a time - 60-100 liters. Thus, the animal makes a supply of fluid, which can be enough for two weeks. When the camel long time does without water, his body receives it by burning fat, while the beast may lose most your weight. In India, the milk of this animal is often eaten. It has next useful properties: it contains vitamins C and D, trace elements (calcium, magnesium, iron and others). Another positive property of this product is that it contains very little casein, which makes milk difficult to digest.
Indian elephant
Elephants are also very common animals in India. In addition to the animal that lives in this state and bears the corresponding name, there is also another type of elephant - African. The Indian differs from it in that it has smaller ears, and is smaller in size than the African. It is also interesting that both males and females have tusks, while Indian ones have only males. These animals are the largest land animals (they are only surpassed in size but they live in the ocean). Elephants are used as a means of transport in the jungle. In India, these animals are very fond of because of their complaisant nature. In addition, elephants often participate in religious celebrations.
Monkeys
These are very common animals in India. Here live their species such as macaques, langurs and others. Many live even in big cities.
King of beasts - Indian tiger
Now only 3,200 individuals of this species remain on the territory of this state. Many of them live in mangrove forests. Previously, these animals often attacked people, so they were exterminated in in large numbers, but hunting tigers is not easy.
What snakes live in India?
On the territory of this state lives on Earth - King Cobra. However, people very rarely suffer from her bites, as she lives far in the forests, hunting small animals there. Much more dangerous to humans are sand efa. The first reaches 1.5-2 meters in length, has a rich yellow color and a dark pattern on the head, which is somewhat reminiscent of glasses, hence the name. The second belongs to the same family with vipers. Its length is small - about 70 centimeters. It's a snake Brown with a zigzag pattern on the sides.
Peacock
Many of these birds are associated with Indian culture. They are often found not only in the mythology of a given country, but also in Persian and Islamic traditions. Even in Christianity there is a mention of a peacock - it is a symbol of life. In Indian art, this bird is very common - both in literature, and in music, and in painting. Peacocks are very common on the territory of this state, they live almost everywhere.
What animals are considered sacred in India?
First of all, these are cows. Since ancient times, these are the sacred animals of India. They were considered as such Ancient Egypt. In the mythology of this country, there is a belief that after death you can reach heaven if you swim across the river while holding on to the tail of a cow. This is also due to the fact that the milk of this animal is very often eaten. Therefore, the cow is considered a symbol of life.
Elephants are another sacred animal of India. They are considered a symbol of wisdom, kindness and prudence, they are often depicted in dwellings and on temples. There are also sacred animals of India, which are representatives of certain gods. These are, for example, monkeys - they are considered the incarnation of the god Hanuman, an ally of Rama. In addition, in India it is rats. There is even a whole temple dedicated to them - thousands of these animals live there. In India there is a legend associated with them. According to her, Karni Mata was a Hindu saint, and when one of her children died, she began to pray to the god of death, Yama, to return her son to her, and he turned all her sons into rats. Also in India there is a cult of the snake. According to ancient legends, these animals are the patrons of the waters of the valley. If we turn to mythology, we can find out that snakes are the sons of Kadru. In myths, these animals are described in human images, they are endowed with such features as wisdom, beauty and strength. In addition, a peacock is also found in Indian mythology - Krishna's headdress was decorated with its feathers. Temples dedicated to this god are painted with images of this bird.
Indian macaque (lat. Macaca radiata) is a small primate of the Monkey family (Cercopithecidae). His head is decorated with luxurious hair, resembling a dark hat. It is also called the bonnet macaque or zati. The animal is not afraid of man and because of the contraction natural environment habitation willingly settles near villages and temples.
In many regions, it causes serious damage to farmers, destroying crops in fields and plantations. The monkey is easily tamed, has a relatively docile and curious character. It is often used for laboratory research, in captivity is strongly attached to its owner.
Spreading
The species is widely distributed in India. The largest populations live in the coastal regions of the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
Monkeys easily adapt to different landscapes, preferring woodlands. In the north of the country they settle in mountain forests at altitudes of about 2100 m above sea level. The lowlands are inhabited by primary and secondary forests, bush and savannas. In many cities of India they live by begging and stealing provisions.
To date, 2 subspecies are known - M.c. radiata and M.c. diluta. The second subspecies is found on the southeast coast of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It differs from the nominative subspecies in having a lighter belly.
Behavior
Indian macaques lead an active diurnal lifestyle, forming groups of an average number of about 30 individuals. Unlike many other primates, they do not have a clear hierarchical division during fur shedding. Even dominant males look for insects in the fur of their young compatriots with great pleasure.
Monkeys on vacation try to experience close physical contact with members of the same gender. Older animals show obvious concern for the younger ones, trying in every possible way to cheer them up, console and caress them. Young individuals love to scream loudly and imitate attacks on each other in a playful way. In such games Active participation Dominant males accept, even allowing babies and teenagers to bite themselves.
The home lots are very large. The area of holdings of one group can reach 50 hectares. Primates usually stay in their territory for a long time and leave it only after a significant reduction in the food supply. The sites of different groups, as a rule, intersect, but the meeting of two clans does not lead to aggression. Monkeys also get along peacefully with langurs (Presbytis) and (Macaca Silenus).
Fruits occupy 47-53% of the total diet. In addition to them, the daily menu includes seeds, leaves and flowers of various plants.
Food of animal origin consists of insects, small lizards and frogs. Macaques especially like the fruits of caranga (Pongamia pinnata), fig tree (Ficus carica) and large grasshoppers (Tettigoniodea).
Animals are busy searching for food during daylight hours. AT settlements feed willingly food waste local residents.
reproduction
Sexual maturity in females occurs at the age of 3-4 years, and in males at 4-6 years. AT northern regions range mating season takes place in early spring, and in the rest all year round. The peak birth rate is observed from February to April. The fertility of females depends on the abundance of food and social status.
Pregnancy lasts from 155 to 165 days. The female brings only one baby. Fathers do not directly participate in the upbringing of their offspring and begin to show interest in them only upon reaching adolescence. Cubs feed on mother's milk for 6-7 months.
Females give birth at intervals of 1-2 years and usually bring about 5 babies in total. Menopause occurs at age 27.
For the first six months, the cubs are inseparable from their mother, hanging on her back or paws. After the end of milk feeding, they learn to get their own food on their own, and in the second year they move on to an independent existence. Females stay with their closest relatives, while mature males join foreign clans.
Description
The length of the body and tail of adults is 40-50 cm. Weight 3000-6000 g. Females are smaller and lighter than males.
The color of the fur is brownish, yellowish brownish or olive brownish. The abdomen is lighter. The face is reddish or flesh-colored, devoid of hair. There is also no hair on the ears.
Cheek pouches allow you to store and carry food. Their volume is approximately equal to the volume of the stomach. On the head is a dark “cap” characteristic of this species. It is especially noticeable in mature males.
AT vivo The life expectancy of Indian macaques rarely exceeds 18-19 years. In captivity at good care it increases up to 30 years.
Order - Primates / Suborder - Dry-nosed / Infraorder - Monkey-like / Parvoorder - narrow-nosed monkeys/ Superfamily - Dogheads / Family - Monkeys / Genus - Macaques
History of study
Indian macaque, or bonnet macaque (lat. Macaca radiata) is one of the species of macaques.
The Indian macaque has been identified as separate view individuals of their marmoset family as early as the beginning of the 19th century - in 1812. However, until now, for more than two hundred years, there has been a dispute about their further classification, since many believe that there are two more subspecies of these animals. However, no one can yet accurately determine and confirm the presence of such diversity, since even if there are still species, they live in very close connection with each other.
Spreading
Habitats of the species - mountain rainforests India, sometimes go to the cities.
Appearance
Adult individuals of both male and female are approximately the same height - from 40 to 60 cm. However, their sexual division can be distinguished differently outward sign- proportions of the tail. With the same body length, the length of their tails ranges from 55 cm (in females) to 70 cm (in males). The mass of primates of this species has small values. So in females, the weight is about five kilograms, and in males 7–8 kg.
The structure of the head of bonnet macaques has its own characteristics. They have a completely flat profile, and their skin painted light brown. Also in its structure, cheek pouches can be found, which is explained by their type of nutrition. As a rule, they store small plants and nuts in these compartments.
The color of the coat has a light brown tint and it is almost uniform, as well as its strong density.
Lifestyle
The ideal habitat for these animals is the tropical forests of India, which are located in the highlands. The slopes are the most comfortable for these monkeys, which now and then descend to the ground. They are diurnal animals and sleep at night on the branches of trees.
Indian macaques live in large flocks. So, on one branchy tree located on a slope, a friendly family of up to 80 individuals can huddle.
The hierarchical system of relationships is based on maternal kinship. Young females remain in their native herd even after reaching puberty, while males at this age are forced to leave the herd.
Nutrition
Macaque feeds on ripe fruits, leaves, insects, as well as plantings on agricultural plantations - cereals, rice, peanuts, coconuts and coffee beans.
population
Thanks to such large communities, as well as the unpretentious nature of the habitat and animal protection measures in India, the Indian bonnet macaques are out of danger of extinction for the next period of time.
People who are not initiated into Hindu beliefs are usually extremely surprised to see how monkeys feel at ease in Indian bazaars. They climb everywhere, drag fruit and other food from the shelves, and no one drives them away - on the contrary, it seems that they are expected here as dear guests. Such honors are awarded to Hindus living in India and Sri Lanka, a monkey hanuman langur (Semnopithecus entellus). Some of them ravage fields and gardens, while others who dwell in temples locals bring their own food.
Hindus have every reason to revere monkeys: according to their ideas, the monkey god Hanuman miraculously saved the wife of the god Rama, Sita, from the encroachments of the demon Ramana. Rama is one of the supreme Indian gods, and Hanuman was honored to be his companion. Hanuman is also considered the patron of the arts and healing.
This deity is worshiped by millions of Hindus, and his images can be found in many Hindu dwellings. Temples are erected in honor of Hanuman - other pilgrims on the way to such a temple even try to imitate the behavior of monkeys, thereby showing the greatest respect to their idol. During religious festivities, bright, colorful processions of thousands of believers move through the streets, carrying images of the monkey god. The participants in the celebrations are seized with trembling excitement, and, as one of the witnesses of such a spectacle wrote, "no one refused to give alms to the numerous beggars sitting along the streets."
According to the ideas of the Hindus, the one who settles in the resting place of the monkey Hanuman will soon be overtaken by death. There are special "clairvoyants" who are invited to find out if the remains of a monkey are resting on the site chosen for building a house.
Needless to say, among believing Hindus, the offense of the sacred monkey is considered grave sin, which some irresponsible people use, "inviting" the monkeys to "annoy" the enemy or the quarrelsome neighbor. To this end, they pour rice on the roof of his house. The monkey instantly understands what's the matter, and climbs for a treat. And since rice grains inevitably roll under the tiles that cover the roof, the monkey breaks it off in search of a treat, thus causing decent damage to the objectionable. And try to touch her!
Monkeys of the genus Langurs ( Presbytis) are considered the fastest primates on earth, capable of running at speeds up to 40 kilometers per hour. They can also jump from one tree to another 15 meters away. When a monkey gives birth to a baby, the newly-born mother is immediately surrounded by many females, obviously delighted with the addition to the family. The cub is strikingly different in color from adult monkey. In these monkeys, there were cases of killing cubs when a strange male came to the place of the head of the family. Some scientists explain such cruel behavior by the fact that females who have lost offspring become more quickly ready for the resumption of sexual life, because they no longer need to feed the cub with milk. According to scientists, the male knows about this and destroys the offspring left by the previous father.
Another interesting monkey from the genus of langurs is the ordinary proboscis, or kahau ( Nasalis larvatus), found in the marshy forests of Borneo. Some biologists consider it the most extravagant of all monkey species. The male has an amazing nose, reaching 17 centimeters in length and hanging below the chin. Exact explanations for this miracle of nature have not yet been found, but it seems that long nose serves the male as a resonator for characteristic loud "call signs" reminiscent of "kahau" (hence the second name of the proboscis). And the locals call this monkey "blanda", as they called the first Dutch colonists.
Monkeys can also be found in some temples in Nepal, but here the Rhesus macaque is held in high esteem ( Macaca mulatta). Around other Hindu temples, whole crowds of these tailed creatures roam freely. They say that people settled sacred monkeys in temples two millennia ago - since then they have been living there, generation after generation. Currently, about 300 Rhesus monkeys permanently reside in the famous Pashupati Temple in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Do I need to explain how free life they lead in this sacred place for Hindus. What they just do not feed: and rice, and peanuts, and pumpkin! When they go out for a walk, people vying with each other offer them sweets. sacred monkeys are under reliable protection Nepalese laws.
Rhesus macaques can also be seen in the Buddhist temple in Swayambhu, apparently in old times these animals came here from the forest, and when people fed them, they decided to stay here forever.
In India, many representatives of the fauna are surrounded by an aura of holiness, for example, cows, snakes, crocodiles living in ponds or reservoirs near temples. The differences in these cases are related to local traditions. special treatment in India to monkeys. In this country, they have long been revered thanks to their ancient mythical leader Hanuman. It was he who at one time tied a torch to his tail to illuminate the battlefield and help King Rama defeat the evil demon Ravana.
AT northern India to the monkeys that fill the groves and capture entire villages, the attitude is twofold. The importunity of these animals, caused by their curiosity and thieving, sometimes reaches extreme, sometimes funny, sometimes dramatic tricks. Therefore, in everyday life, the divine halo of monkeys often goes out. They are often subjected to abuse and even beatings.
There are cases when voracious brown macaques, reaching the age of 18, raid apartments in the heart of New Delhi. It's worth nothing for them to climb upper floors multi-storey buildings and, taking advantage of the absence of the owners, destroy all stocks of food, including those stored in refrigerators. In Delhi, there are several million of these creatures, which are vengeful, capable of turning the life of the inhabitants of entire city blocks into a living hell at any moment. They say that macaques are feared even by officials of the Ministry of Defense, where they once visited and committed a complete pogrom in the meeting room.
In the city of Naggar, in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, a flock of monkeys periodically devastates the famous orchard around the museum-estate of the Roerich family, eating all the fruits, even unripe ones. The frightened inhabitants of this particular region decided that they had had enough and "took up knives", or rather scalpels, to sterilize the annoying male primates, having received the sanction of the Ministry of Health. The example of the Himachals was followed by the Delhi municipality, which ordered to catch these rapidly breeding mammals and take them to suburban reservations. True, this coercive measure has not yet led to the desired results. The monkey colony, accustomed to city comforts, is clearly not satisfied with the prospect of being in the jungle again.
Nothing is known about the exact number of monkeys living in Indian cities, but they can be seen almost everywhere, especially in areas where Vaishnavism dominates. Although macaques and their brethren are more large size denied the right to protection, which they enjoy sacred cows, monkeys in general live quite well, since many temples are dedicated to them. In one of the temple complexes of New Delhi, at least a twenty-meter statue rises in honor of the Hindu hero Hanuman. And this means that this iconic place is visited by numerous pilgrims and monkeys will always find something to eat and entertain themselves, for example, posing for photographers or taking bananas from tourists.