Home › Mammalia › Cercopithecidae › Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus)
Macaca
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Atlas Mountains (Morocco, Algeria), introduced Gibraltar
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Cedar forests, rocky slopes
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Primates
FAMILY
Cercopithecidae
GENUS
Macaca
📋 Description
SIZE
50-70 cm body, 8-15 kg
COLORATION
Brown-grey fur, pink face
ADAPTATIONS
Ground-dwelling, strong social bonds, cheek pouches
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Cedar forests, rocky slopes
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Atlas Mountains (Morocco, Algeria), introduced Gibraltar
REPRODUCTION
1 infant every 1-2 years
DIET DETAILS
Plants, insects, fruits
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, poaching, tourism pressure
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The Barbary macaque is the only wild monkey in Europe (Gibraltar) and the only macaque outside Asia. They live in large multi-male multi-female troops and males carry infants to gain status.
2
They are the only primates north of the Sahara and have been used in medical research for centuries.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Atlas Mountains Morocco
Gibraltar (introduced)
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Look for troops in cedar forests of the Atlas Mountains; very tame at tourist sites.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Year-round
🐾 You Might Also Want to See...
Species
Range
Status
Species
Range
Status
Species
Range
Status
Species
Range
Status
