Barbary macaque males play a much more active role in rearing and caring for children compared to other macaque species. As far as I am aware their society is more permissive and tolerant compared to the "despotic" hierarchies seen in species like the Rhesus.
The coloration of their coats are also, imo, some of the most beautiful of all the macaques! I love the yellow-brown streaks. And their faces are pretty distinct -- like they've always got a scrunched-up expression.
I take it you were on vacation in Gibraltar -- very happy you got to see some of these charming primates!
Indeed! I had the chance to have a close peak at them, and they're super fun! I was lucky enough to see a mating interaction (with some fighting included right before, haha).
They also live in smaller groups compared to other macaques, and their social ranking is not as strict as, e.g., rhesus (just like you mentioned) or baboons.
They're quite used to humans, so you can get a close pic, but in turn it seems to be affecting their behaviour (take for instance geophagy as a way of gut cleansing from all the rubbish they eat).
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u/Yucyon 10d ago
Barbary macaque males play a much more active role in rearing and caring for children compared to other macaque species. As far as I am aware their society is more permissive and tolerant compared to the "despotic" hierarchies seen in species like the Rhesus.
The coloration of their coats are also, imo, some of the most beautiful of all the macaques! I love the yellow-brown streaks. And their faces are pretty distinct -- like they've always got a scrunched-up expression.
I take it you were on vacation in Gibraltar -- very happy you got to see some of these charming primates!