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Toque Macaques behavior around the Anuradhapura Sacred City stupas

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Priya N.•7200 rep•2

I am doing a photography project on the endemic Toque Macaques at the Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanaramaya stupas. Are there specific feeding times and how do they interact with the ancient brickwork.

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photographytemples

6 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

The macaques have lived in these temple complexes for literally thousands of years. They do not have specific feeding times as they largely forage on lotus flowers left by pilgrims. Please do not feed them directly. They are highly habituated but can become aggressive if they see plastic bags that look like food.

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Nihal T.•9190 rep•1

Historically, monkeys were sometimes seen as protectors of the temple grounds in folklore, though today the archaeological department has to constantly manage them so they do not damage the restored mortar.

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David C.•7390 rep•2

You will get the best photos in the late afternoon around 4 PM. The golden light hits the brickwork of Jetavanaramaya and the monkey troops are very active before they roost in the surrounding ancient trees.

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Amali S.•15660 rep•1

Watch your camera gear! These are the same species featured in the documentary Monkey Kingdom. They are incredibly intelligent and will steal lens caps and sunglasses in a heartbeat.

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Banda W.•22430 rep•1

I lost my water bottle to a large male near the Abhayagiri dagoba. They know exactly how to open zippers on backpacks.

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Sven O.•7095 rep•2

Notice their hairstyles. The Toque Macaque gets its name from the whorl of hair on its head that looks like a small brimless hat. The ones in the dry zone of Anuradhapura are a distinct subspecies from the wet zone monkeys.

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Ruwan G.•14830 rep•1

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