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Japanese Macaque

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Japanese macaque images (Macaca fuscata) - stock photos & facts on this unique monkey also known as the snow monkey that is endemic to Japan

Conservation status | Least Concern
Scientific classification | Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Mammalia > Order: Primates > Suborder: Haplorhini > Infraorder: Simiiformes > Family: Cercopithecidae > Genus: Macaca > Species: M. fuscata
Binomial name | Macaca fuscata

The Japanese macaque is a species of monkey that is endemic to three of the four islands in Japan. It is the northernmost living monkey in the world and can survive over 10,000 ft. above sea level. They are unique, as no other primate can survive in that frigid of a climate, withstanding temperatures as cold as -20 C° (-4° F). Individuals have brown grey fur and short, 3 inch tails. In addition, they have pink, naked skin on both their faces and posteriors. Males reach a height of about 22 inches and weigh around 25 lbs; in comparison, females at 20 inches high and weigh just 19 lbs. Their life expectancy varies greatly, ranging between 6-32 years.

The Japanese macaque has opposable thumbs and walks on all fours. They are extremely intelligent and are able to learn new practices from humans and fellow macaques, which they will then pass down for generations. One practice that originated from this type of learning if the macaque practice of washing their food prior to eating, something that only humans and racoons do. They communicate through different “coo” sounds, and accents in pitch vary depending on region. These sounds communicate warnings, defenses, willingness to mate, and fighting.

The Japanese macaque is very social, typically living in groups of 20-30 other macaques, led by a dominant male. They are matrilineal and females remain in their original birth group for the rest of their life, whereas males will leave prior to sexual maturity. They are known to leap and are also great swimmers, enjoying soaking in volcanic hot springs to combat the cold weather. Macaques are omnivorous and although they eat smaller animals, eggs, and insects, they mainly enjoy eating fruits, berries, flowers, leaves, and seeds.

The Japanese macaque’s breeding season lasts about 5 months between early autumn and late spring, and males are chosen solely on their rank. Gestation lasts six months after which a single infant will be born, and babies cling to their mother for two years before venturing around on their own. About 10,000 macaques are killed by farmers every year; however, their population is actually increasing over the years. As their populations are well over 100,000, they are not an object of concern at this time. Japanese macaques are revered and respected by the Japanese people and countless others around the world, and they stand as a symbol of intelligence, endurance, adaptability, and majesty.
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