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The Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) is also known as the

Mary Schwalm Japanese Macaques share an intimate moment at the Central Park Zoo.

Snow monkey. This troop of primates lives on an island in the center of the Temperate Zone, just across from the Red panda exhibit. A troop is a large, hierarchical family group containing one dominant male, several adult females, and their young. Flash is the dominant male of the CPZ troop. He shares the island with three adult females: Erin, Gwyne, and Isabelle, and their offspring: Manny, Iris, Enez, Hana, and Yuki. 9 Snow monkeys in all form this troop.

The Japanese macaques at the CPZ are very active, especially the younger ones. They chase, tease, and play much like human children and are just as full of energy. Also like humans, Japanese macaques have a social hierarchy, and the females and their offspring are ranked. For example, at this time Erin is the highest-ranking female. Thus, her newest baby, Hana, is ranked higher than her half-sister Yuki. So what does this mean? Generally, the higher ranked animal gets groomed more and tends to eat before the others. Rankings are not stable, and do change; Flash has final say as the dominant male and changes may occur after the breeding season. Especially if Erin's headaches continue.

Habitat : Macaques range across Asia from Afghanistan to Japan. Japanese macaques are the northernmost of all non-human primates and can live up to elevations of 9,600 feet above sea level. Huddling close together keeps them warm, as well as dips in natural hot springs. To duplicate this, the CPZ provides two hot tubs for these primates, which reach 104 degrees F, the macaques’ body temperature. During the winter, this is a prime spot to see the younger Snow monkeys playing with each other. However, in the summer, the temperature of the pools is not regulated.

Diet : Japanese macaques are omnivorous, which means they will eat just about anything- meat or vegetation. At the Central Park Zoo, the troop is fed yams, oranges, apples, green beans, mixed greens, peanuts, and monkey chow. Yum.

Life span : Approximately 30 years.

NEW! Video of the Snow Monkeys from the Central Park Zoo

Video courtesy of CentralParkTV.com.

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