# Rhesus Macaque (*Macaca mulatta*) Rhesus Macaques are playful monkeys that love to swing in trees and explore their surroundings. They are very social and often live in groups, making them fun to watch! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Rhesus Monkey ![Rhesus Macaque](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Female_and_juvenile_rhesus_macaque_at_Galtaji%252C_Jaipur%252C_Rajasthan%252C_India.jpg&width=800) Photo: Yann Forget, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Female_and_juvenile_rhesus_macaque_at_Galtaji%252C_Jaipur%252C_Rajasthan%252C_India.jpg) ## Appearance The Rhesus Macaque is a medium-sized monkey with brownish-grey fur that can look a little greenish in certain light. It has a distinctive pink or reddish face and rump, and a relatively short tail compared to its body. Its robust build and agile limbs help it move easily. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Primates - **Family:** Cercopithecidae - **Genus:** Macaca ## Interesting facts - A group of these clever monkeys is called a "troop"! - Rhesus Macaques often share their found food with others in their troop. - Their bright red faces can get even redder when they're excited! - They are famous for helping scientists understand human health! ## Special abilities - **Chameleon Grip:** Rhesus Macaque can climb trees and rocks with ease because of their strong hands and feet that help them cling to almost any surface. - **Expressive Chatter:** Rhesus Macaque has a complex vocal repertoire that helps them communicate warnings, food locations, and social status within their group. - **Clever Problem-Solver:** Rhesus Macaque can quickly learn new tasks and solve puzzles because of their high intelligence, which helps them adapt to changing environments. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 47-79 cm - **Weight:** 3.9-10.9 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 164 days ## Diet & Feeding These clever monkeys eat a wide variety of plants and small animals, making them super adaptable! - **Age differences:** Young macaques primarily drink mother's milk, gradually adding solids as they mature. - **Primary Foods:** Fruits, Leaves, Seeds, Insects, Small vertebrates - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Tiger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tiger) (*Panthera tigris*) — Apex predator in their natural forest habitats. - **Eaten by:** Indian Rock Python (*Python molurus*) — Large snakes can ambush young or smaller macaques. - **Eaten by:** Golden Jackal (*Canis aureus*) — Can prey on young or isolated macaques. - **Depends on:** Sacred Fig (*Ficus religiosa*) — Feeds on its fruits and uses its branches for shelter. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always watch Rhesus Macaques from a distance; they are wild animals and can be unpredictable. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rhesus Macaque? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Rhesus Macaque? 47-79 cm ### How much does Rhesus Macaque weigh? 3.9-10.9 kg ### How long does Rhesus Macaque live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Rhesus Macaque move? 25 km/h ### What does Rhesus Macaque eat? These clever monkeys eat a wide variety of plants and small animals, making them super adaptable! ### Where is Rhesus Macaque usually found? Forests ### How does Rhesus Macaque hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Silver Springs](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/silver-springs) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Silver Springs](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/silver-springs-florida) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Tierpark & Kloster Riesa](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-riesa) — Sachsen, DE · Zoo - [Tierpark Perleberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-perleberg) — Brandenburg, DE · Zoo - [Tierpark im Stadtgarten Recklinghausen](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-im-stadtgarten-recklinghausen) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Rhesus Macaque](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rhesus-macaque) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Rhesus Macaque: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rhesus-macaque)