One of my favorite things about observing long-tailed macaques is just to watch them living their daily lives. Foraging, or finding and harvesting edible things, takes up a large portion of their daytime behaviors.
The eat a variety of plants, insects and animals. Each type of food item has its own unique benefits for the macaques. Fruits supply necessary vitamins and sugars, tree bark and leaves are great sources of fiber. Insects and crabs are high in protein.
Aside from searching for food, the monkey troop maintains social relationships with one another through grooming and play. Their social health is equally important to the stress and security of the macaques.
Mal, the troop "Alpha Male" watches over and protects the group. Still, he's not above joining in some of the play with the younger monkeys! He knows when to be serious and when to relax.
It's a busy life, but the long-tailed macaques of North Jakarta are surviving and thriving well.
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