Home › Mammalia › Cercopithecidae › Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus)
Macaca
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Endemic to Western Ghats: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Evergreen rainforests of the Western Ghats
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Primates
FAMILY
Cercopithecidae
GENUS
Macaca
📋 Description
SIZE
42-61 cm long (body), 25-40 cm tail, 3-10 kg; males larger
COLORATION
Black fur, silver-grey mane around face, tufted tail
ADAPTATIONS
Arboreal agility, cheek pouches for food storage
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Evergreen rainforests of the Western Ghats
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Endemic to Western Ghats: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
REPRODUCTION
Females gestate 6 months, birthing one infant; matures at 4-6 years
DIET DETAILS
Fruits, seeds, insects, small vertebrates
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat fragmentation, human disturbance, low population
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Lion-Like Mane: Their 35 cm silver manes frame faces in Silent Valley's rainforests with 2500 left. Deforestation threatens their 1000 sq km Western Ghats range.
2
Elusive Primates: Shy 10 kg macaques leap 5 meters between Anamalai's trees eating 1 kg of fruit daily. Conservation protects their canopy homes from logging.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Silent Valley National Park in Kerala pristine rainforest is a macaque stronghold
Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu high-altitude forests host macaque sightings
Periyar National Park in Kerala Western Ghats has macaque sightings
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Look for macaques in fruiting trees at dawn with guides.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
November-March. Dry season improves visibility in rainforest canopies for macaques.
