Rhesus Macaque
Macaca mulatta
The rhesus macaque, Macaca mulatta, is an adaptable Old World monkey native to South Asia, parts of Central Asia, and mainland Southeast Asia. It has a pinkish face, expressive brow, medium-length tail, cheek pouches, and a brown to gray coat that can look warmer on the hindquarters. Rhesus macaques live in matrilineal troops with strict social ranks, strong mother-infant bonds, and frequent vocal and facial signals. Their ability to use forests, farms, temples, towns, and research colonies has made them one of the best-known nonhuman primates.
Private keeping is generally unsuitable and often restricted, because rhesus macaques are strong, intelligent, socially complex animals with serious bite and disease risks, including herpes B virus in some populations. Human care is mainly in biomedical research centers, accredited zoos, sanctuaries, and regulated breeding colonies. Management depends on stable social groups, protected contact handling, enrichment that encourages foraging and problem-solving, and veterinary programs for tuberculosis testing, contraception, injuries, and aging animals. In wild and urban settings, stewardship may involve habitat protection, conflict reduction, and discouraging feeding by visitors.
