Barbary Ape
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Superfamily: Catarrhini Family: Cercopithecidae Genus: Macaca Species: sylvanus
Binomial name
Macaca sylvanus

The Barbary Ape (Macaca sylvanus) is a tail-less macaque; despite its name, it is a true monkey and not an ape. Found in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco with a small population in Gibraltar, Barbary Apes are among the most well-known monkeys. They are the only primates (other than humans) to live free in Europe.

They are yellowish-brown to grey with lighter undersides, growing to a maximum of 75 centimetres (30 inches) in length and 13 kilograms in weight. Their faces are a dark pink and their tails are vestigial. Their front limbs are longer than their hind limbs. Females are somewhat smaller than males.

Dwelling in forests of cedar, pine and oak, Barbary Apes may frequent elevations of 2,100 metres or more. They are diurnal animals, dividing their time more or less equally between arboreal and terrestrial territory. Mostly herbivorous, the monkeys feed on leaves, roots, and fruit, but will also eat insects. By day, Barbary Apes patrol a territory which may span several square kilometres; they peacefully co-exist with other primate species, sharing watering holes without incident. Barbary Apes move about energetically on all fours, occasionally rising erect on their hind limbs to survey for threats.

Barbary Apes are gregarious monkeys, forming mixed groups of several females and males; the troop of 10-30 individuals is matriarchal, with its hierarchy determined by lineage to the lead female. Unlike other macaques, the males participate in rearing the young; much time is spent playing and grooming with them. In this way, a strong social bond is formed between a male and his offspring, both the male's own and those of others in the troop. This may be a result of selectiveness on the part of the females, who seem to prefer highly parental males.

The mating season runs from November through March. After a gestation period of 147-192 days, typically one baby per female is born; twins are a rarity. The monkeys reach maturity at 3-4 years of age, and may live for 20 years or more.

The habitat of the Barbary Ape is under threat from increased logging activity; they are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. Local farmers see the monkeys as pests worthy of extermination. Once common throughout northern Africa and southern Europe, there are estimated to be just 1,200-2,000 Barbary Apes left. The last population in Europe is that of Gibraltar, approximately 100 animals. They are under the care of the British Army; due to outbreaks of disease, it has become necessary to reinforce the stock with animals from Africa.