Animal Profiles
Mammals

Macaque

Macaca

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Macaques are adaptable monkeys with many different species across Asia and beyond. This account follows the rhesus macaque, which lives in forests and mountains and can also thrive near people.

Male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), the representative described here, photographed at Gokarna.

Male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), the representative described here, photographed at Gokarna.

Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
The representative here is the rhesus macaque, Macaca mulatta. It occurs across parts of southern and eastern Asia and tolerates varied climates. Forests, mountain slopes and settlements can all provide habitat, so its way of life depends strongly on local conditions.
Habitat
Temperate forest, Mountains, Towns and cities
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Roots, fruits, leaves, insects and small animals make up a flexible diet that changes seasonally.

Classification

Common name
Macaque
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Macaca
Taxon rank
genus
Order
Primates
Family
Cercopithecidae
Genus
Macaca
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Rhesus macaques have bare pinkish-red faces.
  • They eat both plant and animal foods.
  • Females commonly remain in their birth group.

Habitat and range

The representative here is the rhesus macaque, Macaca mulatta. It occurs across parts of southern and eastern Asia and tolerates varied climates. Forests, mountain slopes and settlements can all provide habitat, so its way of life depends strongly on local conditions.

Appearance and adaptations

Brownish fur is lighter underneath, while the face and rump have exposed reddish skin. The tail is shorter than the head and body together. Adult males are generally larger than females. These features describe rhesus macaques rather than the entire genus.

Diet and behaviour

Roots, fruits, leaves, insects and small animals make up a flexible diet that changes seasonally. Rhesus macaques form social groups with dominance relationships. Females often remain with relatives, while males typically leave their birth groups as they mature.

Sources

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