Species: Macaca Fuscata

Lifespan:  The Japanese Macaque lives to be about 30 years old.

Size & Weight:  A full grown Japanese Macaque in about 20 inches long and weights between 20 and 25 lbs.

Habitat: Though the Japanese Macaque is native to Japan, a population was release near Laredo, Texas. The Japanese Macaque lives in a variety of types of forests including subalpine, subtropical, and evergreen forests. Because of their different habitats, they have had to adapt to a variety of climates. Japanese Macaques that live in the Nagano mountains discovered natural hot springs int he area and spend much of their time sitting int hem to keep warm. The destruction of the Japanese Macaques habitat has lead some populations to invade towns, where they steal food from crops and people, and have been found in peoples hot tubs. Efforts to keep the monkeys away by building them their own food stands and hot springs have only caused an artificial spike in population in those areas.

Family Life: Japanese Macaques live in troops of about 20 to 100 monkeys. The troop is lead by an alpha male that dominates the group and leads them. There are also lesser dominant males that help the alpha male protect the troop. Male Japanese Macaques have to fight for their dominance, while function within a hierarchy and take on their mothers rank. Upon maturing, females stay within the troop and males leave their birth troop and find other troops to breed within.

Diet: Japanese Macaques eat fruits, seeds, berries, eggs, bugs, sprouts, and bark. The Japanese Macaques is known for being one of the only animals, other than humans and raccoons, that wash their food.

*Fun Facts*

• Japanese Macaques make snowballs for fun!
• Like people, they can have different accents.