Japanese macaque

Macaca fuscata

Japanese macaque sitting on a branch IMAGE: Sian Addison 2018

Status

NE DD LC NT VU EN CR EW EX

For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org

We have a small group of male Japanese macaques – Honshu, Ken, Kirrin and Katana.

Population

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Stable

Diet

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Omnivore

Habitat

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Forest

Fact file

  • The Japanese macaque or snow monkey is the most northerly living non-human primate

  • They are the subject of many Buddhist stories and are represented in the Three Wise Monkeys maxim 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil'

  • They live in large social groups known as troops, which have a strict dominance hierarchy. A young female macaque will inherit her mother’s rank

Latest Japanese macaque news

Honshu Japanese Macaque looking to left 

IMAGE: Rhiordan Langan-Fortune (2024)
Honshu the monkey moves to Edinburgh Zoo

29 Feb 2024

Two minute read

Japanese macaque walking on all fours across the grass towards the right IMAGE: Amy Middleton 2023

How we're helping

Like all the animals in our care, our Japanese macaques are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued, and loved.

As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.

Find out more about?RZSS conservation