Northern Pig-tailed Macaque
Primate Profile
Northern Pig-tailed Macaque
Macaca Macaca leonina
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Primates
Family
Cercopithecidae
Genus
Macaca
Species
leonina
Authority
(Blyth, 1863)
Photo
VU
IUCN STATUSVulnerable
- Common NameNorthern Pig-tailed Macaque
- Taxonomy Classification Year1863
- Monkey Size50 to 58 cm (20 to 23 in)
- Skin Color(s)Buff-brown
- HabitatForest, rainforest
- DietOmnivorous
- Native CountriesBangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Distribution
Countries
Bangladesh (
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Cambodia (
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China (
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India (
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Laos (
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Myanmar (
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Thailand (
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Vietnam (
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)Northern Pig-Tailed Macaque Characteristics
The northern pig-tailed macaque[1] (Macaca leonina) is a macaque species in the Cercopithecidae family.
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- As its name suggests, the northern Pig-tailed macaque is distinguished by a rather stubby tail, reaching only 9 inches (23 cm) in length, which is often held coiled like a ponytail.
- Another distinctive feature is the patch of dark fur on its head, something it shares with its close relative, the southern pig-tailed macaque.
- To distinguish the two species apart, look closely at the face; you can see that the northern species appears to have mascara on dark lines running diagonally from the outer corners of the eyes.
Northern Pig-Tailed Macaque Facts
- Although these Asian monkeys are accomplished climbers, dashing into the canopy when threatened, northern pig-tailed monkeys spend most of their time on the forest floor.
- Typical of this group of Old World Monkeys, northern pig-tailed monkeys are gregarious, living in social groups of 9-81 individuals.
- The group is dominated by one alpha male, with a hierarchical ranking system for both genders.
- Complex relationships exist within the group, in which individuals communicate using a repertoire of postures, gestures, and contacts.
- Fights and quarrels are not uncommon, but northern pig-tailed macaques have been observed feeding in small groups to avoid conflict.
Suggested Reading: Various Species of Monkeys
Cite this page
BioExplorer. (2026, August 26). Northern Pig-tailed Macaque. https://www.bioexplorer.net/animals/mammals/monkeys/northern-pig-tailed-macaque/