Assam Macaque (Macaca assamensis) lives in tropical rainforest across Southeast Asia. It feeds on fruits and insects. Its conservation status is Near Threatened.
Fascinating facts about the Assam Macaque
- Since 2008 the Assam macaque has been classified as Near Threatened because its numbers are falling under relentless poaching, habitat degradation and fragmentation. The IUCN cites these three pressures as the main drivers of its decline. In addition, the species is listed in CITES Appendix II and enjoys legal protection throughout its range, giving it a framework for international trade control and national conservation measures.
- In northeastern India the Assam macaque inhabits tropical, subtropical and montane forests up to 4,000 m, and it also occupies dry deciduous forest alongside the semievergreen and montane types. It is found at lower elevations in limestone karst forests, showing flexibility in habitat choice. Further east, in Nepal, the species occurs east of the Kali Gandaki river between 200 m and 1,800 m, illustrating its broad elevational range across the region.
- A survey in Namdapha National Park in 2002 recorded 15 groups totalling 209 individuals, giving a group density of 1.11 individuals per km². The average group size was 13.93 individuals, providing a baseline for monitoring population trends in this part of the species' range.
- In 2007 a survey of Langtang National Park recorded 213 Assamese macaques living in nine separate groups across a 113 km² landscape. The troops ranged from 13 to 35 individuals, giving an average size of 23.66 monkeys per group. Within each troop roughly 31 % were adult females and 16 % adult males, the remainder being juveniles of various ages. These figures illustrate the typical social structure and density of the species in Nepal.
- Assam macaques regularly forage in cultivated fields, showing a clear preference for maize kernels followed by potato tubers, while also raiding wheat, buckwheat and millet crops when available. Outside of farmland they maintain an omnivorous diet, consuming a variety of forest foods such as fruits, leaves, invertebrates and cereals. This flexible feeding behaviour allows them to exploit both natural and human-altered habitats throughout their range.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSoutheast Asia
HabitatTropical rainforest
DietFruits and insects
About the Assam Macaque
In the lush forests of the Himalayan foothills, the Assam Macaque navigates its domain with agile precision, its dark brown fur blending seamlessly into the dappled shade as it leaps from branch to branch with effortless ease. With a curious and resourceful nature, this intelligent primate adapts to its environment, exploiting a diverse range of food sources and social interactions that have allowed it to thrive in this captivating landscape. As it moves through the trees, its piercing gaze and expressive face convey a depth of character that is both fascinating and humbling.
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