Fauna
Mammal

Tibetan Macaque

Macaca thibetana

Also known as Père David's Macaque, Chinese Stump-Tailed Macaque, Milne-Edwards' Macaque

Tibetan macaques are heavy-bodied primates clad in dense, pale brown fur suited for chilly high-elevation forests. They live in complex matriarchal troops that utilize infant-bridging rituals, where adults hold infants to reduce social tension and reinforce bonds between males. High in the subtropical mountain canopy, these resilient monkeys spend their days foraging for seasonal acorns, bamboo shoots, and tender foliage.

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Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyBamboo shoots, Acorns, Foliage
Predators
  • Leopards
  • Dholes
  • Eagles
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, tourism disturbance, disease transmission from humans
HabitatsSubtropical evergreen and deciduous forests, rocky mountain cliffs
Life span20–25 years
Classification
  1. FamilyCercopithecidae
  2. SpeciesMacaca thibetana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
May bite or scratch if cornered or fed; maintain a safe distance.
Why it is dangerous
Powerful jaws and long canine teeth can inflict deep puncture wounds and transmit dangerous pathogens if provoked.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Heavy build with thick brown fur, broad whiskered face, and a very short stump tail.
What to do
Never approach or feed; back away slowly if an individual displays an open-mouth threat face.
What to notice
Large mountain macaque with dense yellowish-brown coat and pale facial whiskers.
Support conservation
Keep voice quiet, pack out all food waste, and do not visit wild troops when feeling unwell.
Responsible observation
  • Maintain distance: Stay at least 10 meters away from troops to avoid triggering defensive aggression.
  • Do not feed: Feeding encourages aggressive begging and increases risk of pathogen transmission.
  • Avoid eye contact: Direct eye contact can be interpreted as an aggressive challenge.
Related species
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