Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Cercopithecidae
- Genus
- Macaca
Habitat
Stump-tailed monkeys primarily inhabit tropical and subtropical forests, including evergreen and deciduous woodlands in Southeast Asia. They prefer areas with dense vegetation for cover and are found from northeastern India and southern China to Thailand and Malaysia. These monkeys are adaptable to both lowland and montane terrains up to 2,000 meters.
Diet
Stump-tailed monkeys are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, seeds, insects, and small vertebrates like lizards or birds. They forage primarily during the day in groups, using their hands to manipulate food items. Their feeding behavior includes both arboreal and ground-level activities to access a variety of resources.
Behavior
Stump-tailed monkeys live in multi-male, multi-female troops with a clear dominance hierarchy, often led by a dominant male. They are diurnal and spend time both on the ground and in trees, exhibiting behaviors like grooming to strengthen social bonds and vocalizing to communicate threats. They can be territorial, defending their range through displays of aggression, and are known for their adaptability in human-altered environments.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the stump-tailed monkey is Vulnerable, with populations declining due to habitat loss from deforestation and hunting for the pet trade. Major threats include fragmentation of forest habitats and human-wildlife conflict.