Main content
Long-tailed macaque
Macaca fascicularis
- Considered sacred animals at some Buddhist and Hindu temples. Some believe that the monkeys are the descedents of Hanuman, the monkey-hero of the mythical Hindu figure Rama.
- Unlike chimps that use brute force to crack nuts, macaque hands are very dexterous and flexible. Just like humans, almost 70% are right handed.
- Some long-tailed macaques in Thailand use human hair as dental floss!
- One of the best primate swimmers. They can drop into water to avoid predators, such as clouded leopards and pythons, and prefer to sleep in trees overhanging water.
- Innovative primates - long-tailed macaques have been observed fishing with their hands in parts of Indonesia.