What kind of animal is a rhesus macaque? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. It is a monkey of about the same size as a Japanese macaque and is found in the central part of Asia, mainly in northern India, and in China and Myanmar. The population is stable, but it is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
What is Rhesus Monkey? Basic Stats
Rhesus macaques are a type of monkey classified in the genus Macaca, family Cercopithecidae, order Primates, class Mammalia. Their English name is Rhesus macaque, and their scientific name is Macaca mulatta. They are 40-60cm long and weigh 5-10kg. The list of information is as follows:
| Japanese（和名） | アカゲザル |
| English（英名） | Rhesus macaque |
| scientific name(学名) | Macaca mulatta |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Primate、Cercopithecidae、Macaca 哺乳綱、霊長目、オナガザル科、マカク属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 40-60cm |
| Weight（体重） | 5-10kg |
Habitat
Rhesus macaques are found in the wild, mainly in northern India, as well as in Afghanistan, China and Myanmar.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Rhesus monkeys are small mammals and monkeys of about the same size as Japanese macaques. They have brown fur, a grayer upper body, and a red lower body. They live in a wide range of environments, including forests, swamp forests, and mountains at an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters, and are diurnal. Rhesus monkeys are mainly active on the ground, but also in trees.
What is their personality like?
Rhesus monkeys are very social animals and prefer to act in groups rather than alone. They live in groups of 10-50. Groups are matrilineal, and the offspring of high-ranking females are ranked higher than other females. They live in groups for their entire lives, but males may leave the group before reaching sexual maturity.
What is the ecology of rhesus monkeys?
Rhesus monkeys are omnivorous and live on fruits, bark, insects, bird eggs, etc. The breeding season is from February to March and from September to October, and they also give birth during these periods. Rhesus monkeys give birth once every two years. The average lifespan in the wild is about 15 years, and in captivity it can reach 26 to 30 years.
What are the natural enemies of rhesus macaques?
The natural enemies of rhesus macaques are tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, dholes, and crocodiles.
Are rhesus monkeys an endangered species?
Rhesus monkeys are widely used as experimental animals and are well bred. In Hinduism, rhesus monkeys are considered sacred animals, so there is no need to hunt them indiscriminately. Their population is stable, but they are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Can rhesus monkeys be kept as pets?
Rhesus monkeys are designated as specified alien species under the Invasive Alien Species Act in Japan, and are protected, so special permission is required to keep them, so it is not easy to keep them as pets. We recommend checking the information about events such as zoos.
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