The Barbary macaque is a North African monkey that lives in the forests of Algeria, Morocco and Gibraltar. They are also known as the Barbary ape or magot. The species population is estimated to be between 100,000-200,000 individuals with decreasing populations due to deforestation and hunting for bushmeat.
Like other primates in its taxonomic family of 'Cercopithecidae', the Barbary macaque has opposable thumbs enabling them to grasp things easily with their hands. Their diet primarily consists of plant matter such as leaves, buds, roots and fruits but they will occasionally eat insects and small vertebrates. They communicate with each other through a variety of vocalizations such as barks, grunts and squeals.
Unlike many of the monkeys we are accustomed to seeing at zoos or on television, the Barbary macaque lives in large groups of 7-80 individuals called troops. The males lead these troops while females remain within their natal group for life. Their average lifespan is about 18 years in captivity and 30 years in the wild!
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