Details
Macaca fuscata
The Japanese macaque is a diurnal primate of Japan's forests and mountains. Social troops shift foods and ranging patterns with the seasons.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses deciduous and evergreen forests, mountain valleys, and wooded slopes. It adapts to both snowy and milder forest regions.
Body length is about 47-60 cm and weight about 8-18 kg. A red face, short tail, and thick coat are characteristic, with winter fur especially dense in cold areas.
Diurnal troops have clear social relationships. Grooming, calls, and facial signals maintain bonds as animals move on the ground and in trees.
It is omnivorous, eating fruit, leaves, seeds, buds, insects, and other seasonal foods. In winter it may use bark and foods under leaf litter.
Infants are carried by the mother and learn social relationships through play within the troop. Females often remain in their birth group.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. In some regions, crop damage and habituation make careful management of human distance important.
