Japanese macaque in exhibit

Japanese Macaque

Scientific Name
Macaca fuscata fuscata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Primates
Range
Japan’s three southern islands
Habitat
Deciduous and evergreen forests
Estimated Wild Population
n/a
Japanese macaque in exhibit Endangered Status Graph - Least Concern Endangered Status Graph - Least Concern

More Information

Japanese macaques are medium-sized primates with a thick coat that insulates them during cold winters. Their compact body and stumpy tail help reduce heat loss and risk of frostbite. They are also referred to as “snow monkeys” due to their prevalance in colder locales. They have a distinctive red face that grows brighter during breeding season. In the wild, their diet changes seasonally and features fruit, flowers, seeds, leaves, roots, and buds. They live in troops of up to 100 individuals.

Did You Know?

Japanese macaques are the most northern-living non-human primates on Earth.

Females remain in their birth group, with daughters inheriting their mother’s rank, while males disperse to join neighboring groups.

They were the first primates to be studied in the wild by primatologists. Japanese scientists first observed that these curious primates exhibit “cultures”—their behavior differs between groups.

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Species Survival Plan®

We cooperate with other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to manage the zoo population of this species through a Species Survival Plan®.

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