5 facts about long-tailed macaques
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Long-tailed macaques, also known as crab-eating macaques due to some populations having been observed to eat crabs, are intelligent, social creatures, but they are also in danger due to exploitation.
A monkey with many names – these animals are referred to as “long-tailed macaques” due to their long tails, “crab-eating macaques” for their taste for crustaceans, and “cynomolgus macaque” from obscure Greek etymology.
But we’ll just call them long-tailed macaques.
Let’s learn some interesting facts about macaques!
1. Long-tailed macaques are endangered
Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), have been listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as ‘endangered’ since March 2022, and their numbers are rapidly declining.
Their population is facing significant threats, including habitat destruction due to deforestation and urbanization, hunting, and capture for the pet trade, biomedical research and for entertainment. Despite this worrying trend, they are not a protected species in Indonesia. In fact, they are the most heavily traded and exploited primate species in Indonesia.
2. Long-tailed macaques are native to Southeast Asia
Long-tailed macaques are originally from Southeast Asia. Their natural habitat ranges from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
These animals are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of environments including forests, mangrove swamps and even in urban areas living alongside humans.
Because of their impressive adaptability, these monkeys have proliferated in areas where they have been introduced, such as Hong Kong, and are a threat to the native species in these areas. In fact, while they are listed as “endangered”, they are also listed on the IUCN’s list of “100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species”.
3. Long-tailed macaques are social creatures living in large groups
Long-tailed macaques are fascinating creatures, thriving in large social groups with complex hierarchies. These matrilineal groups range from eight to 40 or more individuals, all caring and looking out for one another. They have a rich communication system, using vocalizations, facial expressions and grooming to stay connected.
4. Long-tailed macaques are omnivorous
These monkeys are omnivore eaters, foraging on fruits, seeds, leaves and even small animals like crabs giving them the nickname “crab-eating macaques”. In urban settings, they exploit human food sources which often leads to human-macaque conflict.
Long-tailed macaques are unique in that they can learn behaviours from each other. This have been observed in how they prepare food: some individuals have been witnessed washing food items in a river before consuming it.
5. Long-tailed macaques help keep ecosystems in balance
This species plays an important role in the wild as a seed disperser from trees, keeping the ecosystem balanced and regenerating forests. Their activities are crucial to ensure the forests remain vibrant and resilient.
Stay tuned to learn more about long-tailed macaques and our efforts to protect this endangered species.