Sulawesi crested macaque

Macaca nigra

Irish Name: Meacaic chíorach Sulawesi

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

Sulawesi crested macaques are one of many species of macaque, a type of monkey. They have black hair on their faces and covering their bodies, apart from the pink hairless pads on their bottoms. They have a distinctive tuft of black hair on the top of their heads, which forms a mohawk-like crest, from which they get their name. Sulawesi crested macaques have a short tail that is difficult to see, which can lead people to think they are apes

Sulawesi crested macaque

Macaca nigra

Irish Name: Meacaic chíorach Sulawesi

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

General Information

Where do they live? (Natural habitat)

Sulawesi crested macaques live on the islands of Indonesia, in particular the north-eastern point of the island of Sulawesi and its neighbouring islands. There is also a large introduced population living on the island of Pulau Bacan. They live in lowland and mountain tropical forests.

How long do they live?

They live for approximately 18 years in the wild and up to 34 in zoos.

What do they eat?

Sulawesi crested macaques are frugivores, which means they mainly eat fruit. They also eat seeds, leaves and small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, snakes and bats.

Group name

Troop

Zoo location

The Sulawesi crested macaques can be found in the Asian Forest habitat at Dublin Zoo.

Closest related species / sister species

The closest related species to the Sulawesi crested macaque are the lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenusi)) and the pigtail macaque (Macaca nemestrina).

Animal class

Mammalia

Animal order

Primate

Fun facts

Secret snacks

If feeding in a dangerous area, Sulawesi crested macaques will stuff their cheek pouches with food which they will eat later in a safer place!

Bottoms up!

Sulawesi crested macaques embrace and sniff each other's rear end as a form of greeting!

Communication

Communication among Sulawesi crested macaques consists of a variety of vocalisations and postures, used for different situations. This includes grunting while grooming each other, males showing their large canine teeth to assert dominance, staring, cackling, smacking their lips and many more.

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Family Life

Sulawesi crested macaques live in troops of 5-25 individuals. Troops can be even larger if living in areas where there is an abundance of food sources. They are highly social and spend a lot of time grooming each other.

Both males and females will mate multiple times with multiple partners. Females alert males to their readiness to mate by the swelling and brightening of the pink patch on their bottoms. They can breed all year round.

Baby name

Infant

Gestation (pregnancy) period

About 6 months

Number of young at birth

Usually 1 infant is born

Age at maturity

Males and females reach sexual maturity between 4-6 years.

Size adult male

Height: 50 – 60 cm
Weight: 6 -10 kg

Size adult female

Height: 45 – 55 cm
Weight: 3.5 - 6 kg

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Conservation

Critically Endangered

The Sulawesi crested macaque is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Current population estimate

Approximately 4,000 to 6,000 individuals on Sulawesi Island, and approximately 100,000 on the Pulau Bacan Island, where they have been introduced. In general, the population is severely decreasing.

Threats

The main threat facing Sulawesi crested macaques is hunting for bushmeat. They also face habitat destruction and capture for the pet trade.

What is Dublin Zoo doing?

Dublin Zoo supports the Selamatkan Yaki organisation and their EARS project (Education and Awareness-raising). This project is based in Sulawesi and is involved in Sulawesi crested macaque conservation.

Dublin Zoo also participates in the European breeding programme for Sulawesi crested macaques.

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FAQs

What do Sulawesi crested macaques eat?

Sulawesi crested macaques are frugivores, which means they mainly eat fruit. They also eat seeds, leaves and small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, snakes and bats.
Where do Sulawesi crested macaques live?

Sulawesi crested macaques live on the islands of Indonesia, in particular the north-eastern point of the island of Sulawesi and its neighbouring islands. There is also a large introduced population living on the island of Pulau Bacan. They live in lowland and mountain tropical forests.
How does living on an island impact Sulawesi crested macaques?

Species whose habitat is restricted (e.g. living on an island) face a number of threats. The population is isolated to one area which can result in inbreeding and the loss of genetic variation. Given that they are found in only one area, they can be vulnerable to disease outbreaks and environmental disasters that threaten the entire population. In addition, as the population increases, it may reach a size where resources such as food and space are in short supply.
Are Sulawesi crested macaques endangered?

Sulawesi crested macaques are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Their population numbers have severely decreased in recent decades.
Do Sulawesi crested macaques have tails?

All species of macaque have tails apart from the Barbary macaque. For this reason, they are sometimes referred to as Barbary ‘apes’ because, unlike monkeys, apes have no tails.
How long do Sulawesi crested macaques live?

Sulawesi crested macaques live for approximately 18 years in the wild and up to 34 years in zoos.
Why are Sulawesi crested macaques endangered?

The main threats facing Sulawesi crested macaques is hunting for bushmeat. They are also threatened by habitat destruction and poaching for the pet trade.

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