The CNPRC houses about 4,500 monkeys, mostly rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). This species is widespread in Asia, especially in India where they are often found in urban areas, and in China. They can adapt to a wide range of climates. The vast majority of the monkeys at UC Davis are bred on site, with a few obtained from other facilities. No monkeys are obtained from wild populations.
Rhesus macaques live in extended family groups consisting of a few males and a number of females. Many of the monkeys at UC Davis live in half-acre outdoor corrals where they can form such family groups and complex social networks.
The rhesus macaques at the CNPRC can live to 30-38 years, far longer than their normal lifespan in the wild of up to 19 years. Many of the geriatric animals remain in the outdoor corrals with family members of all ages in the rich social environment of their home community. The aged rhesus colony at the Center provides distinctive opportunities to better understand normal aging changes and to develop new treatments and solutions for age-related health problems.
The center also houses a small colony of South American titi monkeys (Callicebus cupreus). There are no chimpanzees or other apes at the center.
See Our Animals for more information.