Japanese Macaque
Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)
Also known as Snow Monkeys
Zoo collection includes: The troop consists of five monkeys. You are born into your social class. If you have a higher standing it is likely that you will get the most grooming and will eat before the others. Rankings are not stable, and can change depending on the whims of the adult male. He has the final say as the dominant male and changes may occur after the breeding season.
Found in the wild: Japanese macaques are the northernmost of all non-human primates and can live up to elevations of 9,600 feet above sea level. They are found in Honshu, Japan.
See Them at the Central Park Zoo: This troop of primates lives on an island in the center of the Temperate Zone, just across from the Red panda exhibit.
Description: They are Old World monkeys. Individuals have brown-gray fur, a red face, hands and bottom, and a short tail.
"Baby Zeppy, at seven months old" by Judith Wolfe
Zoo Snow Monkey Habitat: A large island surrounded by water. The habitat includes winter hot tubs, that reach the same temperature as the Japanese Macaques body temperature - 104 degrees, for their bathing pleasure. You will also see two black necked swans and will find freeloading Mallard Ducks, raising their ducklings seasonally.
What do they eat: In the wild, they will feed on seeds, roots, buds, fruit, invertebrates, berries, leaves, birds eggs, fungi, bark and cereals. Japanese macaques are omnivorous, which means they will eat just about anything- meat or vegetation. At the Central Park Zoo, the troop is fed yams, oranges, apples, green beans, mixed greens, peanuts, and monkey chow.
Life span: 30 years
Threats: Not threatened.
Fun Facts: They live in parts of Japan where it snows. They are the only animal other than humans and raccoons, who wash their food before they eat it. These are the monkeys you may have seen that find hot springs and spend a lot of time in the winter sitting in the warm water. These monkeys are thought to be the inspiration behind the saying 'see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil'.