Semi-tamed pig-tailed macaques have been trained by locals to climb trees and throw down coconuts. This species is currently in demand for HIV research.

Subspecies

Four subspecies.

Life span

Pig-tailed macaques have a lifespan of over 26 years.

Statistics

Body length: 43-77cm, Tail length: 12-25cm, Weight: Male 4.5-13.5kg, Female 3.5-7.2kg.

Physical Description

Pig-tailed macaques have olive brown fur, with white under-parts. They have a short, slightly-curled tail, which is slender and thinly-furred or naked. The males are much larger than the females.

Distribution

Pig-tailed macaques inhabit Burma to the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.

Habitat

Their preferred habitat is lowland, coastal, swamp, dry and mountain forest up to 1700m.

Diet

They feeds on leaves, roots, sprouts, mushrooms, fruit and invertebrates.

Behaviour

Pig-tailed macaques live in multi-male, multi-female groups, with 1 male to 5-8 females. The females head the troop. The old males tend to live solitary lives. They are active during the day, and are equally at home on the ground and in the trees.

Reproduction

After a gestation period of 162-186 days, females give birth to one young, which weighs about 500g at birth.

Conservation status

Pig-tailed macaques are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.