Home › Mammalia › Cercopithecidae › Sulawesi Black Macaque (Macaca nigra)
SPECIES PROFILE
Sulawesi Black Macaque (Macaca nigra)
Macaca
IUCN STATUS
Critically Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Critically Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Sulawesi, Indonesia
DIET
Herbivorous/Omnivorous
HABITAT
Rainforests, highlands
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Primates
FAMILY
Cercopithecidae
GENUS
Macaca
📋 Description
SIZE
44-60 cm (body), 5-10 kg
COLORATION
Jet-black fur; crested head
ADAPTATIONS
Social structure; agile climber
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Rainforests, highlands
DIET
Herbivorous/Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Sulawesi, Indonesia
REPRODUCTION
Gestation 170-180 days, 1 infant
DIET DETAILS
Fruits, leaves, insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Deforestation, pet trade
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Selfie Stars: A macaque's 2011 selfie in Tangkoko sparked a global copyright debate, highlighting their intelligence and expressive faces. These social primates live in troops of 5-25, using grooming to strengthen bonds in Sulawesi's shrinking forests.
2
Ecological Balancers: By feeding on fruits and dispersing seeds, they regenerate Sulawesi's forests, with each troop spreading thousands of seeds yearly. Their endangered status, with <5,000 left, drives conservation efforts to curb hunting and habitat loss.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Tangkoko Nature Reserve
Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Visit forest clearings at dawn to see macaque troops foraging or socializing.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
April-October. Dry season enhances visibility in forests where macaques forage in troops.
