Lion-tailed Macaque
The Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) is an Old World monkey species native to the Western Ghats of South India. It is named for the tuft of hair at the end of its tail, which resembles that of a lion.
The macaque has a striking appearance, with a black coat and a silver-white mane of hair around its face. It is a highly arboreal species, spending most of its life high in the rainforest canopy.
The Lion-tailed Macaque is a highly social animal, living in troops with a complex social structure. It is an endangered species, facing threats from habitat fragmentation due to deforestation. Conservation efforts are crucial to the survival of this beautiful and unique primate.
Lion-tailed Macaque
Classification
Mammalia > Primates > Cercopithecidae > Macaca > M. silenus
Native To
Conservation Status
Average Height
1.5 - 2 feet
(0.5 - 0.6 m)
Average Weight
10 - 20 lbs
(4.5 - 9.1 kg)
Average Life Span
20 years
Gestation Period
160 - 170 days
Did You Know?
The Lion-tailed Macaque is an Old World monkey endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.
They are named for their distinctive tail, which is relatively short and ends in a black tuft, resembling a lion's tail.
Lion-tailed Macaques are primarily arboreal, meaning they spend most of their lives in trees, rarely coming down to the ground.
Their diet mainly consists of fruits, leaves, insects, and small vertebrates.
These macaques have a distinctive silver-white mane that frames their face.
They are a highly endangered species due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
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