# Southern Pig-tailed Macaque

> Southern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina). The southern pig-tailed macaque has a relatively short pig-like tail; it differs from long-tailed macaques and occurs on the Malay Peninsula (southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia), Sumatra, Bangka and Borneo.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/macaca-nemestrina/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/macaca-nemestrina/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The Southern Pig-tailed Macaque (*Macaca nemestrina*) is a mammal in the family Cercopithecidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from North Sumatra, Riau, Aceh. Diet: mainly fruit, plus insects, seeds, crabs and nestling birds; a omnivore. IUCN Red List status: Endangered.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Macaca nemestrina* |
| Indonesian name | Beruk |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Cercopithecidae |
| Observation records | North Sumatra, Riau, Aceh |
| Linked habitats | [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) |
| Taxonomic group | Primates |
| GBIF records | 306 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Endangered · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2436611) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Omnivore (eats plants and animals) — mainly fruit, plus insects, seeds, crabs and nestling birds · [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macaca_nemestrina/) |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/) |
| Observance days | [Indonesian Primate Day (30 January)](https://panduanhewan.org/en/animal-days-calendar/#hari-primata-indonesia) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt) |

## What is the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque?

Southern Pig-tailed Macaque refers to Macaca nemestrina, in the genus Macaca, family Cercopithecidae, and order Primates. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2436611)

## What is known about the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque?

The southern pig-tailed macaque has a relatively short pig-like tail; it differs from long-tailed macaques and occurs on the Malay Peninsula (southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia), Sumatra, Bangka and Borneo.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaca%20nemestrina)

## Habitat and field observations of the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque

Pig-tailed macaques use lowland and hill rainforest. Mammal accounts describe fruit as a major food, with leaves and invertebrates in amounts that vary by site.

Evidence: [GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts](https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2436611/descriptions)

## How many Indonesian records name the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 306 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2436611&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include North Sumatra, Riau, Aceh. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2436611&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque?

Watch from a distance, do not feed, and avoid sharing precise locations of vulnerable dens or resting sites. Do not try to catch or touch wild mammals. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Southern Pig-tailed Macaque with Moor Macaque, Silvered Leaf Monkey, Sumatran Surili. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Primates |
| Family | Cercopithecidae |
| Genus | *Macaca* |
| Species | *Macaca nemestrina* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque

### What is the scientific name of the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque?

The scientific name of the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque is *Macaca nemestrina*, in the family Cercopithecidae and the order Primates. In Indonesian it is called Beruk.

### What kind of animal is the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque?

The Southern Pig-tailed Macaque is a mammal in the family Cercopithecidae. By diet it is a omnivore (eats plants and animals): a mainly fruit, plus insects, seeds, crabs and nestling birds.

### Where does the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque summarised in this guide mainly come from North Sumatra, Riau, Aceh. That list is not a complete range map.

Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/).

### What does the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque eat?

The Southern Pig-tailed Macaque is a mainly fruit, plus insects, seeds, crabs and nestling birds. That makes it a omnivore (eats plants and animals). Source: [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macaca_nemestrina/).

### How does the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque reproduce?

The Southern Pig-tailed Macaque reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/).

### Is the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque nocturnal?

The cited source records the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque as diurnal (active by day). Source: [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque?

Scientific classification of the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Primates, family Cercopithecidae, genus *Macaca*, species *Macaca nemestrina*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque endangered?

Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque is listed as Endangered: it is considered to face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2436611), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Southern Pig-tailed Macaque is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2436611)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2436611&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts](https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2436611/descriptions)
4. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/43455)
5. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaca%20nemestrina)
6. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macaca_nemestrina/)
7. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/)
8. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt)
9. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Further reading

[Macaque: facts, threats and conservation](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/macaque/) — World Animal Rescue Network. A broader overview that covers this animal.

_Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network._

## Keep exploring

- [Moor Macaque](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/macaca-maura/)
- [Silvered Leaf Monkey](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/trachypithecus-cristatus/)
- [Sumatran Surili](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/presbytis-melalophos/)
- [Javan Lutung](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/trachypithecus-auratus/)
- [Thomas’s Langur](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/presbytis-thomasi/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Southern Pig-tailed Macaque. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/macaca-nemestrina/