Stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides)

Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides)

The Stump-tailed Macaque, also known as the Bear Macaque, is a large, robust primate found in the dense forests of South and Southeast Asia. It is recognized by its bare red face, thick dark fur, and short tail, which gives it its “stump-tailed” appearance.

Physical Description

• Size: 48–65 cm (19–26 inches), excluding the tail
• Tail Length: 4–7 cm (very short, “stump-like”)
• Weight: 9–14 kg (females), 10–15 kg (males)
• Coloration:
  • Thick dark brown to black fur covering most of the body.
  • Bare reddish-pink face, which becomes more pronounced with age.
• Face & Build:
  • Large, stocky body with a powerful build.
  • Expressive deep-set eyes and a strong jaw.

Habitat & Distribution

• Native to:
  • Found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Malaysia.
• Preferred Habitat:
  • Tropical and subtropical forests, especially in hilly and mountainous regions.
  • Can be found at elevations up to 2,000 meters.
  • Prefers dense cover and spends significant time on the ground (terrestrial).

Behavior & Diet

• Diet:
  • Omnivorous, primarily eating fruits, seeds, leaves, roots, and tubers.
  • Supplements diet with insects, small animals, bird eggs, and fungi.
  • Forages both in trees and on the ground.
• Social Structure:
  • Lives in troops of 10–50 individuals, with a clear dominance hierarchy.
  • Males and females have separate hierarchies, but females often lead in foraging.
• Daily Activity:
  • Diurnal (active during the day), spending time both in trees and on the forest floor.
  • Moves slowly but is strong and capable of climbing when needed.
• Communication:
  • Uses a combination of vocal calls, facial expressions, and body postures to communicate.
  • Grunting and screaming indicate warnings or dominance disputes.

Breeding & Reproduction

• Mating Season: Varies by location but generally peaks in winter.
• Gestation: 6 months (about 170–185 days).
• Offspring:
  • Usually one infant per birth.
  • Born with lighter fur that darkens with age.
• Parental Care:
  • Mothers nurse and protect infants for about a year.
  • Other females in the troop help with infant care.

Threats & Conservation

• Threats:
  • Deforestation and habitat destruction.
  • Poaching for food and traditional medicine.
  • Illegal pet trade and human-wildlife conflict.
• Conservation Status:
  • Listed as “Vulnerable (VU)” on the IUCN Red List.
  • Protected in several national parks and wildlife reserves.

Interesting Facts

• Unlike many macaques, Stump-tailed Macaques are comfortable on the ground.
• Their bare red face darkens with age, making older individuals easy to recognize.
• Known for their calm and tolerant social behavior, with less aggression than some other macaque species.
• Excellent swimmers, often crossing rivers in search of food.

Summary

The Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides) is a strong, stocky, and highly adaptable primate found in forests across South and Southeast Asia. With its bare red face, thick fur, and short tail, it is easily recognizable. A terrestrial and social species, it thrives in large groups and follows a complex social hierarchy. Despite being vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching, conservation efforts aim to protect this unique and resilient primate.

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