Ochre Macaque (Macaca ochreata)

MORPHOLOGY:
This species has cheek pouches to carry food in while it forages.

RANGE:
The ochre macaque is found on the islands of Sulawesi which is part of the country of Indonesia. This species is found in the rainforests at moderate elevations.

ECOLOGY:
The ochre macaque is a frugivorous species, but immature leaves, arthropods, stalks of newly flowering plants, and cultivated crops are also consumed. Generally this species raids crops for fruits, vegetables, and maize. This is a diurnal species.

LOCOMOTION:
The ochre macaque is a quadrupedal species (Fleagle, 1988).

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR:
The ochre macaque has a multimale-multifemale social system. Females remain in their natal group with the onset of maturity, but males will disperse shortly before adolescence. There is a hierarchical system amongst group members based upon the matriline.

VOCAL COMMUNICATION:
scream calls: This call is given by the ochre macaque when they are approached by a non-group conspecific.

OLFACTORY COMMUNICATION:

VISUAL COMMUNICATION:
fear grimace: The lips are retracted so that the teeth are shown; the teeth are clenched together (Estes, 1991). This display functions as an appeasement signal to reduce aggression in aggressive encounters (Estes, 1991).

staring with open mouth: This is the stare accompanied by the mouth being open but the teeth are covered (Estes, 1991). This is a threat expression (Estes, 1991).

lipsmacking: This is when the lips are protruded, then smacked together repeatedly. For the ochre macaque this display communicates aggression.

TACTILE COMMUNICATION:

REPRODUCTION:
The ochre macaque gives birth to a single offspring.

REFERENCES:
Burton, Frances. 1995. The Multimedia Guide to the Non-human Primates. Prentice-Hall Canada Inc.

Estes, R.D. 1991. The Behavior Guide to African Mammals. University of California Press.

Fleagle, John G. 1988. Primate Adaptation and Evolution. Academic Press.

Last Updated: October 9, 2003.
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