Japanese macaque
Macaca fuscata fuscata
At the Detroit Zoo
The Japanese macaque habitat is home to 10 females and three males, whose social structure is built around lineage. At the top of this matriarchal society are sisters Carmen, Laura and Griffin. They are the most-often groomed by the habitat’s other residents. The bottom rank includes Madeline and Lynda. These two spend the most time grooming the troop’s higher-ranking members. This helps establish and maintain the hierarchy among them. The females are joined by male Haru and a troop of young macaques.
The newest member is Kota, born May 2022 to Haru and first-time mother Lynda. He joins Umi, born April 2021 to Madeline and Haru, and Hana and Jun, who were born in 2019 and 2020, respectively, to Carmen and Haru.
The Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, can often be seen basking in the warm steam from their hot tub and entertaining guests with their playful antics in their habitat next to the lions.
Description
Japanese macaques have stout bodies, strong limbs and short tails. Their coats have long, dense fur that varies in color from brown to gray. Adults have exposed red skin on their faces and posterior.
Fun Facts
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Japanese macaques are thought to demonstrate culture, or learned behaviors, by passing on knowledge through a troop and potentially through generations.
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Japanese macaques can be seen sitting in naturally occurring hot springs to avoid extreme winter conditions.