Fun Formosan Rock Macaque Facts For Kids

The animal closest to human beings in their genetic makeup and habits is a monkey or an ape. Humans have been said to evolve from certain species of apes via natural selection.

But what is interesting is that those apes who did not evolve to become humans share a lot of similarities with us. Monkeys have very similar anatomy to humans.

Apart from this, these Taiwanese primates are pretty intelligent, fast, and catch up really easily. One such species of monkey we will be discussing in this fact file is a Formosan rock macaque also known as Formosan rock monkey. This species of monkey is native to Taiwan and is newly introduced on the island of Japan.

Robert Swinhoe in 1862 first described these monkeys. These monkeys belong to the genus Macaca, the genus of gregarious Old-World monkeys, and their binomial name is Macaca cyclopis.

Here are some of the most interesting facts about the Formosan rock macaque (Macaca cyclopis) that will certainly intrigue you. For more relatable content, check out these Japanese macaque facts and titi monkey facts for kids.
 

Formosan Rock Macaque Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Formosan rock macaque?

Formosan rock macaques are monkeys endemic to Taiwan. Formosan rock macaques are also found in Japan after their introduction to the island.

This species of Formosan rock macaques was first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1862. Interestingly these Formosan rock macaques monkeys are the only native primate to Taiwan apart from humans. They have a pretty neat diet that includes fruits and meat.

What class of animal does a Formosan rock macaque belong to?

Formosan rock macaques belong to the class mammals of phylum Chordata in the kingdom Animalia. Further, Formosan rock macaques belong to the family Cercopithecidae, the family of Old World monkeys in the order Primate.

The mammals of this order arose 85 million years ago from a group of small terrestrial beings that adapted to living in trees and tropical forest regions. These primates are closely related to rhesus monkeys and have their natural habitat in Taiwan only.

How many Formosan rock macaque are there in the world?

Formosan rock macaques' population breeds heavily in Taiwan and Japan and hence their population is found in good numbers to date. Besides, an increase in the growth rate of the population has been seen over the past few decades but a proper count of their population is not known for now.

This species is hunted in the habitat for medical research-related requirements, posing some danger to their existence.

Where does a Formosan rock macaque live?

Formosan rock macaques are found in Taiwan and Japan, that is, these gray or brown-colored monkeys are exclusive to Asia. Here these ground dwellers are found in grassland regions, mixed coniferous hardwood temperate forests, and also where a lot of bamboos are grown.

This species plays an important role in the ecological environment of Taiwan by helping disperse seeds, plants, and fruits.

What is a Formosan rock macaque's habitat?

Formosan rock macaques just like any other monkey prefer habitats that have an abundance of food. They prefer living on a tree as compared to foraging on the ground.

They live in a bamboo region where they can feed on bamboo. Apart from this they live on trees and are also quite frequently found in places of great tourist attraction where these notorious beings steal their food.

Who do Formosan rock macaques live with?

Formosan rock macaques just like any other monkey live in troops with animals of their own kind. A mother is seen with her young ones dawdling amongst and they live in groups and sort of behaving just like humans.

How long does a Formosan rock macaque live?

Formosan rock macaques can live for more than 30 years on average. Their life span increases in captivity where these social animals are provided with ideal conditions and in the wild they may live for a lesser number of years since these animals have to face a variety of predators.

How do they reproduce?

Formosan rock macaques or Macaca cyclopis just like many other primates give birth to only one baby at a time. During the reproduction season, between October to January, the female estrus is marked by the swelling of the perineum and the region along the thighs.

Females attain sexual maturity at the age of around 4-5 years. During the mating season, which lasts between November to January, a female conceives and goes through a gestation period of five and a half months.

Females give birth during the spring and summer mating seasons. Females are usually responsible for nursing the young group members and feeding them.

Besides, the young group members stay in their mother’s arms for around 2-3 months. The young ones separate from their parents and their non-group members fully after attaining two years of age.

What is their conservation status?

The IUCN Red List has placed these monkeys in the Least Concern category of species but a lot of concern is there to save them from hunting. These social animals have been hunted for the purpose of medical research and also because they are notorious and go around ruining the crop fields.

Formosan Rock Macaque Fun Facts

What do Formosan rock macaques look like?

A Macaca cyclops is an Old World monkey that grows around 23.6 in (60 cm) in length and weighs around 26.5 lb (12 kg).

These mammals are quadrupedal beings and have cheek pouches that aid them in carrying food while foraging. Their tails can grow more than half the size of their body and measure around 10.2-18.1 in (26-46 cm) in length.

Besides these monkeys have soft brown to gray colored fur for exoskeleton which may vary depending upon the season and their abdominal skin has a hue of blue.

How cute are they?

Formosan rock macaque is a super cute being. Their mischievous nature and their ability to pick up on human habits easily, thus mimicking them, is something spectators find adorable. Taiwanese people regularly and frequently feed them. The only thing that people may not find cute is that they steal lunch boxes of pedestrians passing by.

How do they communicate?

These naughty primates may steal your food and other possessions and commit this thievery in full light without the fear of being caught. Besides, they communicate by vocalizing signals and also through visual, olfactory, and auditory signals. They also very openly express their anger, frustration, and happiness through certain visual gestures. Their call sounds like a kyaw-kyaw.

How big is a Formosan rock macaque?

A Formosan rock macaque is one-third the size of a gorilla (or even smaller). An average macaque grows 14.2-17.7 in (36-45 cm) in length. While their tail may measure around 10.2-17.7 in (26-45 cm) in length.  

How fast can a Formosan rock macaque run?

Monkeys are really fast. They can run and climb at great speed, tricking innocent people and other predators. On average, an adult Formosan rock monkey can achieve a moving speed of 34 mph (55 kph). They are faster than tamarin monkeys.

How much does a Formosan rock macaque weigh?

Female macaques are generally smaller than male macaques. An average adult Formosan rock macaque may weigh somewhere between 11-26.5 lb (5 -12 kg). They are smaller than proboscis monkeys.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male and female Formosan macaques do not really have separate names and are referred to by the same name. Except certain physical features including the body size may aid a person in distinguishing between the male and female macaque.

What would you call a baby Formosan rock macaque?

Just like in us humans, and any other primate, a baby Formosan rock macaque is referred to as an infant. An infant stays with the mother, nursing from her for over a year till it is mature enough to survive on its own.

What do they eat?

These macaques are omnivorous beings and depending on their diet feed on a variety of fruits, seeds, insects, worms, and bird eggs. Besides they are masters in stealing food from the pedestrians peacefully having lunch in their vicinity. They also help with the dispersal of seeds for a diverse ecosystem.

How active are they?

A Formosan rock macaque goes around jumping along with trees, playing, and having the time of its life. They are active beings and are very frequently seen interacting, socializing, and fighting with other clans. Juveniles become independent at the age of two years.

Would they make a good pet?

Even though a baby monkey is very cute in appearance, one must not forget that these are wild animals. Macaques are capable of causing a lot of harm and need a lot of care and attention.

Did you know...

Very frequently these macaques are used as experimental subjects and especially for researchers carried out in medical sciences. They are used for studying brain functions, reproduction, testing drugs, and most importantly to track the evolutionary tree (since humans are said to have evolved from a primate).

These monkeys help with spreading plants' genes to ensure a more diverse ecosystem.

Are Formosan rock macaque endemic?

Formosan macaque is endemic to Taiwan and was introduced in Japan. They are the only primates occupying these islands apart from human beings. Rhesus macaque is also under Least Concern category.

For how long do Formosan rock macaque carry their babies?

Females give birth and carry her baby for over a year after their mating season. She nurses them, looks after them, and protects them from dominant monkeys.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these striped polecat facts and howler monkey facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Formosan rock macaque coloring pages.