A unique type of monkey found in the Western Ghats of India, a range of mountains known for its rich biodiversity. This small, shy monkey gets its name because of its distinctive tail, which ends with a tuft of fur, much like a lion’s tail. Its thick, black fur contrasts with a silvery-white mane that surrounds its face, giving it a striking appearance. This mane adds to its resemblance to a lion, making the lion-tailed macaque one of the most easily recognized monkeys.

Lion-tailed macaques are relatively small compared to other primates. They have long, strong arms and legs, which help them move easily through the trees. Like many other monkeys, they have a prehensile tail, meaning they can use it to help balance as they move through the treetops. Their feet and hands are also very good at gripping branches, which allows them to spend most of their lives high up in the trees.

These macaques live in the dense, tropical rainforests of southern India. They are excellent climbers and spend most of their time in the forest canopy, rarely coming down to the ground. In the trees, they forage for food, which includes a variety of fruits, leaves, flowers, seeds, and small insects. Lion-tailed macaques have cheek pouches, which they use to store food while they continue to search for more. This lets them gather a lot of food quickly and eat it later when it’s safe.

Lion-tailed macaques are known for their intelligence. They have been observed using tools, like sticks, to help them gather food. They are also known for their problem-solving abilities and can figure out how to get food from difficult places. This intelligence, along with their strong social bonds, helps them survive in their forest habitat.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

India

4,000

EN

2015