The Most Widely Distributed Non-Human Primate

While most monkeys stick to specific habitats, the rhesus macaque has the largest geographic range of any non-human primate. They thrive in environments ranging from freezing mountain peaks to bustling human cities.

These adaptable animals have successfully spread across vast areas of South, Central, and Southeast Asia. Their ability to live at high altitudes and navigate both wild forests and urban centers is unmatched by other monkeys. Because they are so resilient and easy to study, they have become the most common primate used in scientific research. You might find them scavenging for food in remote temples or surviving snowy climates that would be deadly for others.