Baby Number Two Joins the Japanese Macaques

And baby makes… 11! Japanese macaque Usagi, age 12, gave birth behind the scenes on June 8 to the newest member of the troop. Usagi brought her baby outside and onto Macaque Island a few hours later. The father is Kota, age 10, and this baby is the second offspring for Usagi and the eleventh member of the macaque troop. The animal care team shares that all is going very well with the baby, and they will remain hands-off. The sex of the baby is still undetermined.

The baby — a newborn — primarily nurses and sleeps on mother Usagi and will start to venture off mom within the first few months of age. Guests may be able to spot him or her tucked in Usagi’s chest or groin area while she sits on the rockwork in the habitat.

Macaques typically labor for a few hours, with the birth being quite quick. Usagi gave birth on her own without any help from her troop members. The troop dynamics continue as usual while giving space to Usagi and her baby.

Guests can view the new addition daily on Macaque Island. If he or she isn’t seen outside, mother Usagi could be taking a quick rest indoors.

Fast Facts:

• Japanese macaques live on the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu and further north than any other primate, apart from man.
• They’re also known as snow monkeys and are a terrestrial African-Eurasian monkey species. African-Eurasian monkeys have a non-prehensile tail (unable to grasp objects), nostrils closer together, and a nose that faces down.
• Japanese macaques are listed as a Stable species in their natural range by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).