Mammals
Lion-Tailed Macaque
Macaca silenus · also called wanderoo
Framed by a dramatic mane of silver-white fur, a lion-tailed macaque moves high through the rainforest canopy of India’s Western Ghats, one of the rarest and most endangered macaque species on Earth, confined to an increasingly fragmented mountain forest home.
Overview
The lion-tailed macaque, Macaca silenus, is a highly arboreal primate native exclusively to rainforest habitat within the Western Ghats mountain range of southern India. Its dramatic silver-white mane, lion-like tufted tail, and status as one of the rarest macaque species in the world make it one of the most visually striking and conservation-urgent monkeys found anywhere in India.
A regal macaque running out of room
Confined to a narrow strip of increasingly fragmented mountain rainforest, the lion-tailed macaque’s striking mane and tail have made it one of India’s most recognisable primates, even as its habitat continues shrinking around isolated remaining populations.
Status
Endangered, having declined due to the clearing and fragmentation of rainforest habitat across the Western Ghats of southern India.
Lion-Tailed Macaque: common questions
Why is the lion-tailed macaque named that?
This species has a long tail ending in a tufted point resembling a lion's tail, combined with a striking silver-white mane framing its dark face, a combination of features that directly inspired both the tufted-tail comparison in its common name and its distinctive, regal appearance.
Why is the lion-tailed macaque so endangered?
This species has declined due to the clearing and fragmentation of rainforest habitat across the Western Ghats of southern India for agriculture, plantations, and infrastructure development, leaving remaining populations increasingly isolated within a narrow, restricted range.
Is the lion-tailed macaque more arboreal than other macaques?
Yes, this species is more highly arboreal than most other macaque species, spending the overwhelming majority of its time in the forest canopy rather than descending to the ground, a lifestyle that sets it apart from many of its more terrestrial macaque relatives.
Where does the lion-tailed macaque live?
This species is native exclusively to rainforest habitat within the Western Ghats mountain range of southern India, a narrow and increasingly fragmented region that represents the species' entire natural range.