Blog 3: Japanese Macaques

 Japanese Macaques: Blog Post 3 by James Patberg

Social Organization, Social Structure, Mating System, Care System

A troop of Japanese macaques relaxing in a hot spring

Social Organization/Structure

Japanese Macaques tend to live in multimale-multifemale groups which are commonly referred to as “troops.” The number of primates in one of these troops can vary as widely as 10 to 100 individuals. These troops utilize a chain of command that is often led by an alpha male ranking above the others. This leader gets the privilege of mating with all of the females in the troop but also the responsibility of protecting the other members from predators. If the troop is rather large, there might be several males who are considered “subleaders,” who aid the alpha in keeping everybody safe. 

Additionally, a troop might have an alpha female who acts as the alpha male’s partner, ranking above the other females, and granting her children an eventual high-ranking position in the hierarchy. The social ranking is generally determined by age, but there are some instances of aggressive males climbing the ranks using muscle, or due to relations with a higher-ranking individual. (Neotropical Primate Conservancy, n.d.) 

When males reach sexual maturity, they are seen leaving their original birth group. They will oftentimes travel between other groups with the goal of eventually becoming an alpha male leader in one of the various groups they visit. Females usually will remain within their birth group. Playful behavior of throwing stones or snowballs is commonly seen within younger individuals of a troop.

Mating Systems/Strategies

One of the key features of Japanese macaques is the concept of consortship. This implies that a male and female of the species are often characterized by mating, feeding, resting and travelling together, with these activities lasting about 1.6 days during mating season. During mating season, females have been observed to undergo consortship with an average of 4 different males. While females might try to rank with males of all levels of ranks in the hierarchy, it is not surprising that they tend to choose higher-ranking males due to their status and ability to protect the female from other males seeking to mate or predators. Higher-ranking males often will remain in consortship with a female longer than a low-ranking male. Males who rank higher than others might also try and disturb the consortships of lower-ranking males. Interestingly, a significant number of females mated with males from outside of their own troop, departing after mating seasons ended. Some strategies employed by females to get the attention of a potential mate include looking over shoulders, staying very still or walking backwards towards the mate of their choice. (Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, n.d.)

Two Japanese macaques demonstrating consortship

Care Systems

Parental care is a very prominent aspect of the life of a Japanese macaque. When it is time to give birth to its young, the mother macaque will move out to the edges of the troop’s area and find a secluded location. However, if the troop begin to move while she is giving birth, the mother will end up moving in order to avoid separation from the troop. Infant mortality is unfortunately very high in the species, with 28.4% of infants dying before they reach one year of age. 

The young are usually carried by the parents, holding them around their abdominal region. This act of carrying the young continues until they are one year old. The mothers will interestingly groom their adult offspring far more often than their young or juvenile offspring. This is typically done in order for the younger offspring to observe the behavioral patterns of the mother to understand important traits that will come into play later in life. Depending on the troop, male paternal care can be present, but not always. Sometimes males, even those with a high-ranking in the hierarchy, may even help in grooming and protecting infants. Additionally, males can be seen carrying infants, typically if it is their own offspring. (Animal Diversity Web, n.d.)

Works Cited

Japanese macaque. Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. (n.d.-a). https://primate.wisc.edu/primate-info-net/pin-factsheets/pin-factsheet-japanese-macaque/#behavior-sociality

Hardman, B. (n.d.-b). Macaca fuscata (Japanese macaque). Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macaca_fuscata/

Japanese macaque, macaca fuscata - new england primate conservancy. New England Primate Conservancy - ​Committed to leaving a legacy of hope ​and tools to build a better tomorrow for all the Earth’s citizens. (2024a, October 13). https://neprimateconservancy.org/japanese-macaque/#:~:text=Highly%20social%20creatures%2C%20Japanese%20macaques,ranks%20above%20all%20other%20members.

Snow monkey hierarchy: The Top Monkeys. Snow Monkey Resorts. (n.d.). https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/smr/snowmonkeypark/snow-monkey-hierarchy-the-top-4-monkeys/


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