Home › Mammalia › Cercopithecidae › Crab-eating Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)
SPECIES PROFILE
Crab-eating Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)
Macaca
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Peninsular Malaysia, East Malaysia
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Rainforests, mangroves, urban areas
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Primates
FAMILY
Cercopithecidae
GENUS
Macaca
📋 Description
SIZE
38-55 cm (body), 3-9 kg
COLORATION
Grey-brown to reddish-brown fur
ADAPTATIONS
Long tail; adaptable to human areas
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Rainforests, mangroves, urban areas
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Peninsular Malaysia, East Malaysia
REPRODUCTION
Gestation 165-185 days, 1 infant
DIET DETAILS
Fruits, crabs, insects, human food
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, human conflict
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Sacred Scavengers: Revered in Hindu temples, these macaques are bold opportunists, snatching offerings or tourist snacks with deft hands, a behavior tied to their sacred status. Their adaptability to urban fringes makes them both cherished and a challenge in human spaces.
2
Social Strategists: Living in troops of up to 30, they maintain complex hierarchies through grooming and vocalizations, with dominant females leading resource allocation. This social structure, studied extensively, mirrors primate politics, ensuring group survival in varied habitats.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Bako National Park
Penang National Park
Kuala Selangor Nature Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Visit coastal trails at dawn to see macaque troops foraging.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
April-October. Dry season enhances visibility in mangroves and forests for macaques.
