Assam Macaque is a diurnal primate, which inhabits the regions stretching from Nepal to Vietnam and Southern China. It is yellowish to dark brown in color and has a hairless face. The color of the face is red in case of adults. Assam Macaques are also known by the name of Himalayan Macaque and Hill Monkeys in India. They are 50 to 73 cm in length and their tail, about 1/3rd of the body, is 19 to 38 cm long. Males, weighing around 10 to 14.5 kg, are heavier than females (8 to 12 kg).

Behavior
Highly gregarious creatures, Hill Monkeys of India prefer to live in groups. The group usually consists of both males as well as females, with the number of members ranging from 10 to 50. They spend their time either on the ground or in the trees.

Natural Habitat
As far as their natural habitat is concerned, Assam macaques prefer mountain, evergreen, bamboo and deciduous dry forest of India, at an altitude ranging from 300 m to 3500 m. They are found only in India, Nepal, Vietnam and southern China.

Diet
Himalayan Macaque mainly eats fruits, leaves, invertebrates and cereals.

Mating Traits
The gestation period of Assam macaques is around 165 days. The single young one, born at the end of the gestation period, has a weight of approximately 400 gm at the time of birth.

Status
Assam macaques of India have been classified as Vulnerable by the 2000 IUCN Red List.

Subspecies of Assam Macaque

* " Eastern Assamese Macaque, Macaca assamensis assamensis
* " Western Assamese Macaque, Macaca assamensis pelops

Facts About Assam Macaque

Kingdom: Animalia
Scientific Name: Macaca assamensis
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Cercopithecidae
Genus: Macaca
Species: M. assamensis
Subspecies: Two
Status: Vulnerable (2000 IUCN Red List)
Diet: Fruits, leaves, invertebrates and cereals
Gestation Period: Approximately 165 days
Number of Offspring: One
Length (head and body): 50 cm to 73 cm
Length (tail): 19 cm to 38 cm
Weight: Male - 10 kg to 14.5 kg
Female - 8 kg to12 kg