If you visit Angkor Wat, you’re likely to encounter some of its most cheeky residents: monkeys.

The species commonly seen roaming the temples and surrounding forests is the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), also known as the *crab-eating macaque. Despite the name, they rarely eat crabs – especially at Angkor – and are instead opportunistic omnivores who happily snack on fruit, leaves, insects, and even food scraps from tourists.

These macaques are highly social and intelligent animals, living in groups with complex hierarchies. They might look cute – especially the babies—but visitors should be cautious. They can become aggressive if they feel threatened or if they associate people with food, which unfortunately happens often in touristy areas. It’s not uncommon for them to steal bags, cameras, or anything shiny.

At Angkor Wat, the macaques are part of the scenery: climbing statues, lounging in the shade, or boldly posing for selfies. But interactions can escalate if boundaries aren’t respected. If you’re visiting, it’s best to avoid feeding them, keep a safe distance, and secure your belongings.

They’re not considered dangerous, bites and scratches can lead to infections or diseases such as herpes B virus (rare, but serious). So admire them, snap a photo from afar, but resist the temptation to get too close – especially to those adorable babies, as protective mothers can react defensively.

Angkor isn’t just an ancient city of stone, it’s also a living jungle ecosystem where nature and history still coexist in a delicate balance.

A short and useful list of things to know about the monkeys at Angkor Wat:

• Species: Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis).
• Behavior: Curious, clever, and often bold—especially around tourists.
• Diet: Fruits, leaves, insects, and human food (don’t feed them!).
• Risks: Can bite or scratch if provoked or if they feel threatened.

Safety Tips:

• Keep your distance
• Don’t feed them
• Hide food and shiny objects
• Watch your bags and cameras

Interesting fact:

Despite their nickname “crab-eating macaque,” they rarely eat crabs in this region.

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