Japanese Macaque

Macaca fuscata

Japanese macaques live farther north than any other non-human primate. Also known as snow monkeys, they have adapted to live through harsh, snowy winters. Thick fur, huddling together, and taking baths in natural hot springs keep them warm. As fruits and other food become scarce, they turn to tree buds and bark for survival.

Living in large troops, macaques learn and share information with each other, such as which foods are good to eat.
Macaques often groom each other to strengthen their social bonds.
Once they reach maturity, males will move from troop to troop, while females stay in the same troop their entire lives.

Fact File

Pronunciation: muh-KAK
Height: 2 to 4 ft
Weight: 15 to 30 lbs
Lifespan: More than 30 yrs
Habitat: Forest, mountains, and highlands
Diet: Fruit, insects, leaves, crops and small animals
Status: Species at Risk (U.S. Endangered Species List—Threatened)

Videos

Learning New Tricks:

Japanese macaques invent new behaviors and pass them on through imitation, which shows that animals other than humans can have culture.

Range:

Japan