Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Macaca
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, and parts of Malaysia and Bangladesh. They prefer lowland and hill evergreen forests up to about 1,500 meters elevation, where they can find dense vegetation for cover and food.
Diet
Northern pig-tailed monkeys are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits, seeds, leaves, and insects, as well as occasional small vertebrates like lizards or bird eggs. They forage both on the ground and in trees, often in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. Their feeding behavior includes raiding crops near human settlements when natural food is scarce.
Behavior
They live in multi-male, multi-female troops of 10-50 individuals with a clear dominance hierarchy. Northern pig-tailed monkeys are diurnal, spending time both arboreal and terrestrial, and exhibit territorial behaviors like vocalizations and displays to defend their group. They are known for their playful interactions and grooming rituals that strengthen social bonds.
Conservation Status
The IUCN lists the Northern pig-tailed monkey as Vulnerable due to population decline from habitat loss and hunting. Major threats include deforestation for agriculture and the illegal pet trade.