Lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus

Animals in our sanctuary

Kerala (female)

Date of birth

17-04-1993

Date taken in

08-06-2017

Kerala came together with the other bearded monkeys from an animal park where they had to make room for animals that participate in international breeding programs. Those were breeding programs for the maintenance of animals threatened with extinction.

Manjeri (female)

Date of birth

24-07-2003

Date taken in

08-06-2017

Manjeri came together with the other bearded monkeys from an animal park where they had to make room for animals that participate in international breeding programs. Those were breeding programs for the maintenance of animals threatened with extinction.

Suraj (Male)

Date of birth

03-05-2008

Date taken in

08-06-2017

Suraj came together with the other bearded monkeys from an animal park where they had to make room for animals that participate in international breeding programs. Those were breeding programs for the maintenance of animals threatened with extinction.

Appearance

The lion-tailed macaque is a medium-sized macaque with a striking appearance. It has black fur and a distinctive mane of long, gray sideburns around its face, giving it the name "lion-tailed macaque." Its face itself is hairless and black. The tail is of medium length, ending in a tuft, resembling that of a lion. A unique feature of this species is its cheek pouches, which allow it to store food for later consumption.

Behavior

Lion-tailed macaques are primarily arboreal, spending most of their time in the high treetops. They live in social groups of 10 to 20 individuals, although larger groups of up to 34 monkeys can also occur. Within the group, there is a social hierarchy, with one dominant male controlling reproduction. They use loud calls to mark their territory and communicate with other members of their species.

Diet

Lion-tailed macaques are omnivorous, but their diet mainly consists of fruit. They also eat leaves, flowers, bark, and seeds. Their diet is supplemented with animal matter, such as insects, lizards, tree frogs, and small mammals. They drink little water, obtaining most of their moisture from dew droplets on leaves.

Habitat

This macaque is found exclusively in the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats in southwest India, at elevations ranging from 100 to 1,500 meters. They prefer deciduous trees and remain mostly in the upper canopy to avoid predators.

Reproduction

Lion-tailed macaques do not have a fixed breeding season, but most births occur during the rainy season when food is abundant. The gestation period lasts about six months, after which the female gives birth to a single infant. The young are born with black fur and cling to their mother’s belly. They are weaned after about a year. Young females remain with the group, while males leave at a later stage to join bachelor groups.

Threats

The lion-tailed macaque is the most endangered macaque species in the world. Deforestation, mining, road construction, and agriculture have fragmented its habitat, leading to inbreeding and disease. Additionally, the species is hunted for its meat. Its late sexual maturity and low reproductive success make it particularly vulnerable. Only about 2,500 lion-tailed macaques remain in the wild.