Today's observation was interesting. The long-tailed macaques of Troop Bravo seemed to have food on the brain. For two hours, I watched the monkeys mostly foraging and noshing on various foods. Plants, insects, mollusks and fruits filled their menu - and their bellies.
The short video above is one example of how generalized long-tailed macaques are.
Insects are high in protein and easily found. Leafy vegetation provides necessary nutrients and fiber. Fruits supply vitamins and natural sugar carbohydrates. Troop Bravo is fortunate to live at a 24-hour, all-you-can-eat buffet.
Of course, they also get human foods from raiding trashcans, fire pits, being offered food from park visitors and (very occasionally) robbing food stalls or houses. The monkeys' general diet allows them to survive throughout the year by adapting to the availability of food sources.
Full and happy macaques tend to steer clear of human interactions. Hungry monkeys, on the other hand, get into some serious shenanigans.
During my time with Troop Bravo today, they seemed content to stay in one spot and forage casually.
The only thing of exceptional note from my observations is that only 14 Troop members were sighted today. It's not cause for alarm, just leaves me curious where the rest of the gang were and what they were up to.
-RW
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