Macaques are generally considered more terrestrial. But while most species come down to the ground to forage or move over long distances, a few are highly arboreal, e.g., the lion-tail macaque. But all prefer to sleep in trees or high above the ground. All macaques are more active during the day, but only the cooler portions, i.e., early morning or late afternoon to evening. They have a noticeable but not long muzzle.
Males are bigger and heavier than females and have well-developed canines.
Macaques are not as colourful as other monkeys and are usually drab. Separate troops may sometimes join to form temporary groups of more than 100. All members in the troop have a well-defined rank. In many, the rank is inherited from the mother. Females form the permanent core of the group, while males transfer from among groups at least once in their lives, usually before they breed.