macaque

A macaque is a type of Old World monkey known for being smart, social, and able to live in many different places. You might see one in a forest, on a mountainside, or even near towns and temples, sometimes boldly trying to grab food from people.

There are more than 20 species, found mostly in Asia and with one famous kind in North Africa. They usually live in groups with clear social order, and many have cheek pouches for carrying food. People often think of them as clever and curious animals, but they can also be a nuisance when they get used to human food.

Macaques are a genus of Old World monkeys native to Asia and North Africa. They are known for their cheek pouches, which they use to store food before eating it somewhere safer. These adaptable primates can live in many environments, from tropical forests and snowy mountains to rocky coasts and busy urban areas.

There is a wide variety within this group. Japanese macaques, often called snow monkeys, are famous for sitting in hot springs during winter. Rhesus macaques are well known in science and medicine, and long-tailed macaques are often seen in coastal areas and near human settlements. Across species, they are generally strong, curious, and highly social animals that live in troops with clear rank and behavior patterns.

However, they are not always easy neighbors. They are opportunistic feeders and may raid crops, enter buildings, or steal from people, which can lead to conflict with humans. In some places they are protected or treated as special animals, while in others they are seen as pests.

The word "macaque" entered English through French, from the Portuguese word "macaco," which likely came from African languages. So when you picture a clever monkey with a busy social life, quick hands, and a talent for living almost anywhere, this is often the animal people mean: a macaque, one of the most familiar members of the Old World monkey family.