Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides)

Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides)

(also known as Bear Macaque)

The Stump-tailed Macaque is a stocky, robust species of macaque native to Southeast Asia. Its unique appearance — with a short, hairless tail and wrinkled face — gives it a somewhat “bear-like” look, which is why it’s also called the Bear Macaque. These intelligent and social primates are highly adaptable but face increasing threats from habitat loss and hunting.

🐒 Identification

• Body length: 45–65 cm
• Tail length: 2–7 cm (very short, almost stump-like)
• Weight:
  • Males: 9–15 kg
  • Females: 7–9 kg

Appearance:

• Fur: Dense, shaggy, and dark brown to blackish
• Face: Bare, reddish to pinkish, heavily wrinkled
• Tail: Short, appearing almost absent (the “stump”)
• Build: Heavy, muscular body with powerful limbs

Both sexes look similar, though males are noticeably larger and more robust.

🌿 Habitat

• Found in a variety of forest habitats, including:
  • Tropical and subtropical evergreen forests
  • Montane forests
  • Mixed deciduous forests
  • Secondary forests
  • Disturbed areas and plantations
• Altitude range: Sea level up to 2,000 meters

Native to parts of:

• Northeastern India
• Bangladesh
• Myanmar
• Thailand
• Laos
• Vietnam
• Southern China

🍽️ Diet

Omnivorous and highly adaptable feeder, consuming:

• Fruits (main dietary component)
• Leaves
• Seeds
• Flowers
• Invertebrates (insects, worms)
• Occasionally small vertebrates, bird eggs, and fungi

They forage both in trees and on the ground, depending on food availability.

🔁 Behavior & Life Cycle

Social structure:

• Live in large multi-male, multi-female troops (10 to over 50 individuals)
• Strong dominance hierarchy among males and females
• Highly social; grooming plays an important role in maintaining group bonds

Reproduction:

• Females give birth year-round but with a peak during certain seasons
• Gestation: ~170 days
• Usually one infant per pregnancy
• Infants cling to the mother’s belly and later ride on her back

Behavior:

• Mostly diurnal (active during the day)
• Both arboreal and terrestrial but spend a significant amount of time on the ground
• Intelligent and opportunistic, capable of learning and problem-solving

🌍 Distribution

• Native to Southeast Asia
• Populations are fragmented due to habitat loss

🧬 Interesting Facts

• The stump-like tail is one of its most distinctive features, unique among macaques.
• Sometimes referred to as “bear monkeys” because of their bear-like body shape and heavy build.
• They are capable swimmers and have been observed crossing rivers.
• Stump-tailed macaques are used in some biomedical research due to their physiological similarities to humans.

🛡️ Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• Major threats:
  • Habitat destruction (deforestation, agricultural expansion)
  • Hunting and poaching (for meat, traditional medicine, pet trade)
  • Human-wildlife conflict

Conservation efforts focus on:

• Protecting forest habitats
• Law enforcement against illegal hunting
• Public education and community involvement in conservation

The Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides) is a fascinating primate adapted to a variety of environments but increasingly threatened by human activity. Its unusual appearance, complex social behavior, and adaptability make it a species of great interest for scientists and conservationists alike.