The Japanese macaque (or Macaca fuscata) is a species of monkey endemic to the islands of Japan. It lives in a variety of environments, including the sub-arctic forests of Japan’s northern regions, and is therefore also known as the snow monkey. It has a thick beige fur coat, white belly and pink face, with males measuring an average of 57cm long and weighing 11kg. Females are slightly smaller, averaging 52cm long and weighing 8kg. Both sexes live in groups of between 10 to 160 individuals, comprising related females with strong bonds, as well as unrelated males that have immigrated in from other groups. The species is not endangered and is surviving well in the wild – so much so that, when numbers get too high, macaques may be culled to prevent damage to crops and trees.
Latin Name
Macaca fuscata
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japanese-macaque
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Animal Facts
Japanese macaques are well adapted to the cold, capable of withstanding temperatures of -20ºC.
Female Japanese macaques become good friends by grooming each other.
Japanese macaques have been seen washing sand and dirt off sweet potatoes prior to eating them.
Japanese macaques enjoy warming up in hot springs in cold winters; something they learned from watching humans.
Some groups of Japanese macaques play with stones; with primates, this is often a precursor to learning to use tools.