R.C. Adhikari and K. Chakraborty
Abstract
Geospatial and openness of food resources determine the foraging behaviour of rhesus monkey. The study of a year duration was conducted in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta, Zimmerman 1780), on natural habitatslow and high altitude with the aim to evaluate the major parts of plants eaten and to assess variation in feeding time of preference in two different habitats (Sorensonâs Similarity index of vegetation=0.093). Feeding behavior of a troop of rhesus monkey from Ramdhuni forest (93 masl Sorea dominated) and Dhankuta forest (1200 masl and Pinus dominated) was evaluated by recording by focal animal sampling method with reference to the vegetation. Diurnal time investment on feeding was 32% in Ramdhuni and 37.75% in Dhankuta. Ramdhuni and Dhankuta troop consumed 57 and 30 species of trees respectively and in both the habitats they consumed fruits from maximum number of plants. There was no significant relation on choosing parts of plants and also no significant relation on time investment on major eight food items but significant relation on some minor items in two habitats. We conclude the time allocation on particular items of food depends on their seasonal availability. Better understanding the feeding behaviour will give hope to sustainable management of rhesus monkey.