The Barbary macaque, also known as the Barbary ape (scientific name: Macaca sylvanus), is a type of animal belonging to the genus Macaca within the Old World monkey family, Cercopithecidae.
The Barbary macaque is a tailless macaque found in the Atlas Mountains in Algeria and Morocco, with small populations in Gibraltar. They are one of the best-known species of Old World monkeys and are the only monkeys that live freely in Europe. Although these species are often referred to as "Barbary apes," the Barbary macaque is a true macaque and not an ape. The confusion in the name may arise from the fact that they are tailless, similar to apes.
The Barbary macaque is named after the region where it lives in North Africa, inhabited by the Berber people. In the Berber language, the Berbers call this monkey "Za'atut" or "Za'adwad."
The color of this monkey is brown with a yellowish tint, and the lower sides of its fur tend towards light gray. Its face has a dark pink color. Its maximum growth length is 75 cm and it weighs 13 kg (29 pounds). The upper limbs of this monkey are longer than its lower limbs, and this species is characterized by the absence of a tail, as well as the smaller size of females compared to males. Gibbons use all four of their limbs for movement, and sometimes stand on their hind limbs, especially when they sense danger."
Their habitat is limited to rocky and non-arable green areas. The Barbary macaque inhabits cedar, pine, and oak forests, where it climbs to altitudes of 2,100 meters (6,900 feet) or more. It is a diurnal animal, dividing its time equally between trees and the ground. Most of them are herbivores, feeding on leaves, roots, and fruit, but they also consume insects. The living area of a single group of these monkeys can extend to several square kilometers, and they peacefully coexist with other primate species, sharing watering holes without incidents. The Barbary macaque moves actively on all four limbs and sometimes stands on its hind limbs to detect threats.
The Barbary macaque is a social monkey, forming mixed groups of males and females, with maternity leadership groups of 10 to 30 individuals; their functional ranks are determined by their proximity to the leading female. Unlike other species, males participate in child-rearing, spending a lot of time playing and bonding with the young. Strong social bonds exist between males and their offspring, both the male's own and others within that group. This may result from the selection of certain females who seem to prefer paternal males.
The Barbary macaque is a social monkey, living in mixed groups of males and females; these groups can range from 10 to 100 individuals, and leadership is based on the principle of maternity, with the largest female in the group taking charge. Unlike other species, males participate in raising the young and spend a lot of time playing with them. Strong social bonds exist between males and their offspring.
The mating season extends from November to March. Pregnancy lasts from 147 to 192 days, with typically one offspring born per female; twins are rare. Monkeys reach maturity at the age of 3 to 4 years and can live for 20 years or more.
The Barbary macaque is abundant in Morocco, especially in the Atlas cedar forests like the Gouraud Forest near Ifrane and the Ouzoud Waterfalls near Azilal. The Barbary macaque is considered one of the main attractions in the entertainment squares of Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, as well as in many Moroccan markets and popular amusement venues. They are part of the unique services provided by the Atlas monkeys, performing acrobatic movements. Tourists and locals gather in a circle, enjoying the antics of the macaque "Za'atut." This type of monkey plays roles skillfully and expertly, following the cues from its trainer.
There is a famous Moroccan saying that goes, "Water money goes to water, and milk money goes to the Barbary macaque."(فلوس اللبن يديهم زعطوط)، Legend has it that the Barbary macaque used to watch closely a milk seller near a river as he mixed milk with water in the same pot. He would fill half the jar with milk and the other half with water to sell it and make double profits. One day, the macaque cunningly stole the money the seller had earned from his work. He went to the river, sat down, took the bag of money, and in a parallel motion, he would place a coin next to him and throw the other one into the water. The seller lamented the money he couldn't retrieve from the monkey and, seeing his efforts in vain, found no better way to express his frustration than by saying, "Water money goes to water, and milk money goes to the Barbary macaque," meaning that the money for water was lost in the water, and the money for milk was taken by the macaque.
The word "Za'atut" is an Amazigh (Berber) word and has no connection to the word "Za'atut" used in the Gulf and the Arab East, which means a playful young child.
The wild Barbary macaque population has experienced a significant decline in recent years to the extent that it was declared an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2009. The Barbary macaques in the Atlas Mountains represent three-quarters of the world's Barbary macaque population. The decline in their numbers is attributed to increasing habitat isolation due to urban expansion, leading to their global classification as a vulnerable and endangered species.
One of the reasons for their decline is the growth of the illegal pet trade, where they are sold as exotic pets. Despite the trade being illegal, it still persists as an underground market, with Spain serving as the main entry point into Europe.
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