The Japanese Macaque

The Japanese macaque is a terrestrial Old World monkey native to Japan. Locals call it Nihonzaru, meaning Japan monkey.

Males average 11.3 kg and females 8.4 kg. Their brain weighs about 95 g.

Their coat thickens as temperatures drop. They can cope with cold down to -20 °C. Knitwear is just keratin.

She overthrew every dominant male.

Females live up to 32 years, and males reach 28 years. That lifespan is high compared to other macaques.

At Koshima Island, a female named Imo started washing sweet potatoes in river water.

They also bathe together in hot springs. Jigokudani doubles as a corporate retreat.

In 2021, a 9-year-old female named Yakei led her troop of 677 monkeys.