Range

Asia is the native home of the lion-tailed macaque. Here they can be found in India where they live in the south of the country. Their range is rather small and highly fragmented.

Habitat

Most of their habitat covers tropical evergreen forests. Some of their populations are also found in monsoon forest.

In areas where humans have developed the forest they may persist in plantations such as those of jack fruit and guava.

Reproduction

When females are receptive to mating they develop a swelling under the tail. Mating occurs throughout much of the year but births are concentrated in February and March.

A single infant is born following a gestation period of 170 days. It will initially cling to its mothers chest or back and drink milk until it is weaned at 15 months old.

At birth the young have soft fur which develops in to the mature fur of adults by two months old.

Females are sexually mature by four years old while males mature by eight years old. The females will remain with their mothers troop while males go off and join a bachelor group until they are ready to challenge for leadership of their group.

Behavior

Lion-tailed macaques live in groups of between 10 and 20 individuals. Each group is led by a single dominant male. Young males will form bachelor groups.

On the rare occasion they come to the ground lion-tailed macaques are successful swimmers.

The lion-tailed macaque will communicate with other members of their troop through vocal calls, facial expressions and posture.

The tail is used to communicate dominance. Dominant animals hold their tail up when walking while non-dominant animals will keep their tail down.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the lion-tailed macaque include birds of prey such as serpent eagles and the Asian wild dog or dhole. Humans impact their population through hunting and collection for the pet trade, the meat trade and use in traditional medicines.

Due to fragmentation and isolation of their habitat their is an increase in inbreeding which is leading to a reduction in genetic diversity.

Their population takes a long time to recover from any losses owing to a long interbirth interval, competition for mates and the availability of the resources needed to raise young.

Quick facts

Lion-tailed macaques are also known as wanderoos or the bearded monkey.

A stamp featuring the lion-tailed macaque has been released in India.