Order : PRIMATES
Family : Cercopithecidae
Species : Macaca nemestrina

Head-body length : up to 58 cm
Tail length : up to 23 cm
Weight, male : 7-9 kg
Weight, female : 4-6 kg

Macaca nemestrina (Southern Pig-tailed Macaque, Sunda Pig-tailed Macaque) inhabits primary forest, but will venture to adjacent cultivated areas in search of fruits. In common with other macaques its diet may include small vertebrates and invertebrates.

This species is of stocky build with creamy-brown fur on the flanks, darker fur along the back, white underparts, and dark brown fur on the crown. It is most easily distinguished from the closely related Northern Pig-tailed Macaque by the absence of diagonal lines which extend upwards from the corner of each eye in the latter species.

Troupes of up to 40 animals are documented, but typically group size is around 10 animals or so. Mixed troupes with other macaques may also be seen : the species sometimes associates with the Long-tailed Macaque.

Traditionally this species of macaque is trained to climb coconut trees and to twist off the ripe coconuts with their strong hands. A strong bond develops between the macaque and its owner.

Macaca nemestrina occurs in the southernmost parts of Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra (including Bangka Island to the east) and Borneo. It does not occur in Singapore.

Fig 1 : Example from Ipoh, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia, seen at the edge of an oil palm plantation.

Fig 2 : Adult Southern Pig-tailed Macaque at Fraser's Hill, Peninsular Malaysia.

Fig 3 : Female in oestrus, with sexual swellings.

Fig 4 : Sub-adult foraging at forest edge.

Fig 5 : Adult male at Ulu Chepor, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia.

Fig 6 : Male yawning, and showing off its impressive canine teeth.  Seen at Taiping, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia.


References :

Francis, C.M. 2019. A Field Guide to the Mammals of South-east Asia. Second Edition. New Holland. 416 pp.