Indian gelada

The **Indian gelada** (*Theropithecus indicus*) is a species of Old World monkey of the *Theropithecus* genus that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the mountainous foothills and valleys of the Indian Himalayas to help boost biodiversity. The Indian gelada shares similarities with the African gelada, including a cape of long fur over the shoulders, hairless face and a tail plume. However the Indian gelada stands taller with a russet coat, having a slightly more omnivorous diet, and is less specialised for montane living. Like its relatives, the Indian gelada is largely a vegetarian, feeding mainly on grass blades, which make up to 90% of its diet. Indian geladas eat both the blades and the seeds of grasses. When both blades and seeds are available, geladas prefer the seeds. They eat flowers, rhizomes, and roots when available, using their hands to dig for the latter two. They consume herbs, small plants, fruits, creepers, bushes, and thistles. Insects, carrion, and much smaller vertebrates can be eaten, but only rarely and only if they can easily be obtained. During the dry season, herbs are preferred over grasses. Indian geladas consume their food more like ungulates than other primates, and they can chew their food as effectively as horses. The impressive canine teeth are used by males in territorial displays by flipping up the upper lip (as seen in African geladas) and can also deliver a nasty bite to rivals. Indian geladas are primarily diurnal. At night, they sleep on the ledges of cliffs. At sunrise, they leave the cliffs and travel to the tops of the plateaus to feed and socialize. When morning ends, social activities tend to wane and the Indian geladas primarily focus on foraging. They travel during this time, as well. When evening arrives, they exhibit more social activities before descending to the cliffs to sleep. Indian geladas live in a complex, multilevel society similar to that of the African geladas and hamadryas baboon. The smallest and most basic groups are the reproductive units, which include up to 12 females, their young, and one to four males, and the all-male units, which are made up of 2-15 males. The next level of Indian gelada societies are the bands, which are made up of two to 27 reproductive units and several all-male units. Herds consist of up to 60 reproductive units that are sometimes from different bands and last for short times. Communities are made of one to four bands whose home ranges overlap extensively. Breeding and reproduction can occur at any time of the year, although some areas have birth peaks. Most births occur at night. Newborn infants have red faces and closed eyes, and they are covered in black hair. On average, newborn infants weigh about 464 grams (16.4 oz). Females that have just given birth stay on the periphery of the reproductive unit. Other adult females may take an interest in the infants and even kidnap them. An infant is carried on its mother's belly for the first five weeks, and thereafter on her back. Infants can move independently at around five months old. A subordinate male in a reproductive unit may help care for an infant when it is six months old. Females sexually mature at around three years, but do not give birth for another year. Males reach puberty at about four to five years, but they are usually unable to reproduce because of social constraints and wait until they are about eight to ten years old. The Indian gelada typically lives around 15 years. The conservation status of the Indian gelada is **Critically Endangered** due to habitat loss, persecution, and poaching, however, due to conservation efforts, the Indian gelada is a protected species and some populations are increasing.