The Macaque monkey belongs to a family of monkeys called Cercopithecidae, with the scientific name Macaca.
It belongs to the Old World monkey family and order Primates, Class of Mammalla.
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The macaque monkey facts
these monkeys are highly similar to humans in their external appearance.
The Macaque monkey is characterized by the absence of a tail, unlike other types of monkeys.
Moreover, these types of monkeys are considered one of the most dangerous animals to humans, as a bite from them can lead to immediate death due to carrying the herpes B virus.
Macaque monkeys are divided into two main categories:
· Old World monkeys found in Asia, Africa.
· New World monkeys found in North, Latin America.
The main difference between New World monkeys and Old World monkeys is that New World monkeys have long, prehensile tails that they can use for grasping and hanging.
The Macaque monkey specification
Hands, feet:
The Macaque monkey is extremely powerful, with hands and feet of equal length
The fur: it has fur that is brown or black.
The length: The length of male Macaque monkeys ranges from approximately 41 cm to 70 cm.
The weight: with a weight of about 5.5 kg. As for females, their weight is around 2.4 kg.
The mouth: The Macaque monkey has a mouth similar to that of a dog.
The tail: and regarding the tail, there are species that do not have tails and others that have tails of varying lengths depending on the species.
The cheek pouches:
Additionally, Macaque monkeys have cheek pouches that help them store extra food inside.
What is the behavior of the Macaque monkey
Some species of Macaque monkeys have adapted to living in Asian villages and cities.
They are known for being highly intelligent monkeys that adapt to living in different environments.
Macaque monkeys lead very active and strong lives, living in groups that can reach up to 200 monkeys.
Although the Macaque monkey is a talented, skilled climber and proficient swimmer, it spends most of its time on the ground.
The males are the dominant sex, but they do not regularly stay with the herd, which is why females lead the herds.
Places where Macaque monkeys are found
Macaque monkeys live in tropical forests such as the Amazon rainforest in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and India.
They inhabit barren mountains in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Japan’s mountains, as well as northern China, Morocco, and Nepal.
Moreover, Macaque monkeys prefer to live in forests, plains, slopes, and rocky terrains according to their species.
What do Macaque monkeys eat
In their natural state, Macaque monkeys are herbivores, feeding on crops such as wheat, rice, and sugarcane, garden crops like tomatoes, bananas, watermelon, and mangoes.
Some species also feed on meat such as insects, sea crabs, and other animals.
Types of Macaque Monkeys
There are seven species of Macaque monkeys found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, including the short-tailed monkeys that differ from the black monkeys living in the northern tip of the island.
· Long-tailed Macaques or Crab-eating Macaques: Found in Southeast Asia.
· Rhesus Monkeys: Native to northern India, eastern China, and Formosa rocks.
· Japanese Macaque or Snowy Macaque: The largest species with more pronounced muscles, shaggy fur, a pink face, and a short tail.
· Black-tailed or Gray-tailed Macaques:Their tails are curled and they are endangered.
· Trunk-tailed Macaques: Powerful monkeys with red faces and very short tails.
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Reproduction stages in Macaque Monkeys
The reproductive capacity of Macaque monkeys varies depending on the species, with some growing at a rate of 10-15% annually under suitable conditions.
After a year of birth, the newborn transitions from infancy to adolescence, where reproduction begins and juveniles mature sexually at the age of 3 to 5 years.
Females mostly remain in the same herd they were born into, while males tend to change herds and may fail to join another herd, remaining solitary.
FAQs about Macaque monkeys
How long do Macaque monkeys live?
Macaque monkey lifespan is between twenty to thirty years.
- What is the amazing fact about Macaque monkeys?
Studies suggest that Macaque monkeys have exceptional memory abilities that were previously believed to be limited to humans alone.
- Are macaque monkeys intelligent?
Among non-human primates, macaques, along with great apes, baboons, and capuchins, exhibit enhanced general intelligence compared to other mammals.For decades, it has been reported that wild macaques are capable of innovative behaviors and use tools.
- Are macaque monkeys aggressive?
It is true that adults, particularly males, can inflict serious wounds with their razor-sharp, dagger-like canines and can be extremely aggressive when introduced to unfamiliar conspecifics. However, this does not necessarily indicate that the animals are inherently aggressive by nature.
- Do macaque monkeys sleep at night?
Answer and Explanation: Nearly all species of monkeys are diurnal, which means they are most active during the day and generally sleep at night. This makes them similar to apes, which are also diurnal, but different from strepsirrhines, many of which are nocturnal.
In conclusion, it is important to highlight the necessity of caring for this type of monkey and making significant efforts to protect it from extinction.
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