Known colloquially as the long-tailed macaque due to their notably elongated tails, which surpass their body length, these macaques boast a distinctive physical appearance. Their fur exhibits a dark brown color with light golden-brown tips on the upper parts, while their undersides are adorned with a lighter grey, showcasing a natural palette that aids in their camouflage within their habitats.
Endowed with remarkable intelligence, Crab-eating Macaques have demonstrated a profound ability to use tools in their quest for food, illustrating an advanced level of cognitive function among non-human primates. Their ingenuity is displayed through behaviors such as utilizing rocks to crack open the hard shells of crabs or employing nuts and their teeth to skillfully peel the skin of sweet potatoes. This utilization of tools not only highlights their problem-solving skills but also their adaptability to diverse environments and food sources.s
Their diet is as varied as it is resourceful, encompassing a wide range of natural resources. Primarily frugivorous, these macaques feast on an assortment of fruits, flowers, leaves, bark, and roots, sourcing the bulk of their nutrition from the forest’s bounty. However, their omnivorous tendencies extend to the occasional consumption of vertebrates and invertebrates, including birds, lizards, fishes, frogs, and a variety of small creatures, showcasing their opportunistic feeding habits and their role as predators within their ecosystem.
The Crab-eating Macaque’s social structure is characterized by multi-male, multi-female groups, which can number in the dozens and form complex social hierarchies. Within these groups, intricate relationships and alliances are forged, maintained, and sometimes contested, through grooming, communication, and other social interactions. These dynamics are crucial for the cohesion and survival of the troop, affecting everything from resource access to mating opportunities.
Distribution
Bangladesh
Official estimate
Brunei
Cambodia
East Timor
India
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Mauritius
Myanmar
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
VietnamAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Troops
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
