macaque

Macaques are a genus of Old World monkeys in the family Cercopithecidae, comprising about 20 species in the genus Macaca. They are native to Asia and parts of North Africa and have colonized a wide range of habitats, from tropical forests and mountains to urban and agricultural environments. Their adaptability has allowed some species to become common in human-altered landscapes.

Most macaques are highly social and live in multi-male, multi-female groups with defined hierarchies. They are diurnal and communicate through a combination of vocalizations, facial expressions, and body postures. Grooming is an important social activity that helps maintain group bonds. Maternally driven, learning, and imitation contribute to the transfer of foraging skills and other behaviors. Tool use has been observed in some populations, including the manipulation of objects to access food.

Diet is omnivorous and opportunistic, including fruits, seeds, leaves, roots, insects, small vertebrates, and human-provided foods. Reproduction varies by species, but many macaques have seasonal or periodic mating and typically give birth to one infant after a gestation of roughly five to six months. Weaning and maturation timelines differ among species.

Conservation status spans the spectrum from least concern to endangered, depending on the species. Threats include habitat loss, hunting, and conflict with humans, as well as disease transmission in areas where macaques thrive near human communities. Macaques are frequently studied in research, and ethical considerations shape their use in biomedical contexts.