SPECIES PROFILE

Name: macaques are a genus of monkeys (Macaca) found across the world. In total there are 23 species of macaques living throughout Asia, North Africa, and (in one instance) Europe.

Appearance: they are large monkeys which are usually a brown or black colour. Several macaque species have no tails although others have short or even long tails.

Size: their size varies across species, typically measuring between 40 to 70 cm in length and weighing between 5 to 18 kg. 

Diet: macaques are mainly vegetarian although some species, such as the long-tailed or crab-eating macaque, eat birds, lizards, frogs, fish, and crabs. The southern pig-tailed macaque in Malaysia eats up to 70 rats each year! When they live among people, they are known to steal crops such as wheat, rice, and sugar cane.

Did you know: they are highly adaptable to different habitats and climates and can easily adapt to urban areas alongside humans. Japanese macaques (or ‘snow monkeys’) have become famous world-wild because of their habit of bathing in outdoor baths when it’s cold. Studies have found that they like to take hot baths to lower stress – much like us! They’ve also been observed making snowballs and washing their food before eating it.

Location: macaques are the widest-ranging primate after humans. They can be found in the tropical rainforests of southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and India, the arid mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the temperate mountains in Japan, northern China, Morocco, and Nepal. Some species also inhabit towns and cities in Asia and Gibraltar.

Where TO SEE macaques

According to reports submitted to WildSide, you can see macaques in the following places: