Sulawesi Crested Macaque

at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens

Macaque, Thrigby Halls Wildlife & Gardens

Quick Facts

Latin Name: Macaca nigra
Diet: Fruits, leaves, invertebrates, small animals
Lifespan: 15–20 years (wild), up to 26 (captivity)
Size: 44–60 cm body; 3–6 cm tail

Weight: 7–10 kg
Habitat: Rainforest
Range: Sulawesi, Indonesia
Conservation Status (IUCN): Critically Endangered

The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity.

About Our Sulawesi Crested Macaque

The Sulawesi crested macaque is one of the most distinctive primates you’ll encounter, with its striking reddish-brown eyes, long facial features, and a thick tuft of hair forming a crest on its head. Unlike most monkeys, it has no visible tail—just a small, vestigial stub—giving it an almost ape-like appearance.

Native to the rainforests of Sulawesi in Indonesia, this macaque is mostly active during the day and spends much of its time on the forest floor. Around 60% of its day is spent foraging, playing, and socialising on the ground, although it still climbs trees to sleep and search for food. Its diet is mainly made up of fruit, but it also eats leaves, seeds, buds, fungi, insects, bird eggs, and occasionally small reptiles or amphibians.

Sadly, the Sulawesi crested macaque is critically endangered. One of the biggest threats it faces is hunting for bushmeat, particularly during festivals and religious celebrations. Habitat loss caused by farming, mining, and forest fires is also having a serious impact, while the illegal pet trade continues to affect populations across the region.

Help Protect Sulawesi Crested Macaque - Adopt Today!

You can support the care of this incredible animal by adopting one today. Animal adoptions at Thrigby Hall help fund essential food, care, and conservation efforts. Adoptions make a thoughtful gift and are a great way to support endangered species.

Adoptions