Moor Macaque: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Monkeys of Africa and Asia · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Found only on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, it is nicknamed the dog-ape for its dog-like muzzle. It is a monkey, not an ape.
2. Malkoha birds often tag along with the troop. As the monkeys move through the trees, grasshoppers jump out, and the birds snap them up.
3. In most macaques, quietly baring the teeth means giving in. In moor macaques, it is thought to be a friendly sign of peace.
4. These monkeys love to play. They spend more of their time playing, alone or together, than grooming one another.
5. As fruit eaters, they help lots of young trees take root. This helps damaged forests grow back.

The quiz

1. Why is the moor macaque sometimes called the dog-ape?

• It barks to guard its troop
• It lives alongside village dogs
• It has a dog-like muzzle (correct)
• It walks only on all fours

The nickname comes from its muzzle, which looks like a dog's.

2. Why do Malkoha birds stay close to moor macaques?

• To catch grasshoppers the monkeys disturb (correct)
• To eat the monkeys' leftover fruit
• To pick ticks off their fur
• To sleep in their nests

The macaques' movements push grasshoppers out of the trees for the birds.

3. What does a quiet bared-teeth display mean in moor macaques?

• I give in to you
• I am hungry
• I am about to attack
• I come in peace (correct)

Unlike in most macaques, it signals peaceful intentions rather than submission.

4. What do moor macaques spend more time doing than grooming?

• Building nests
• Playing (correct)
• Swimming
• Digging burrows

They spend more time in solo and group play than in grooming.

5. How do moor macaques help their forests?

• They water young plants
• They clear away dead branches
• Their fruit eating helps young trees grow (correct)
• They chase off woodcutters

As fruit eaters, they support many seedlings, helping damaged forests recover.

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