LION-TAILED MACAQUE
1. Context
Valparai town in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu is a typical hill station with roads largely free of vehicles and people. But there is a bustle of activity near the Sree Muruga temple in the heart of the town. Monkeys with silver-white manes contrasting with shiny coats of black fur and tufted tails have parked themselves on the roofs of buildings, railings and platforms of shops. They are busy looking for something to eat, even food waste or rotten fruits and vegetables. Some look for bits and pieces of biscuits and chips in discarded packets
2. About Lion Tailed Macaque
- The Lion-tailed Macaque, also known as the Wanderoo, is an Old World monkey found in the Western Ghats of South India
- Lion-tailed macaques are covered in black fur with a striking grey or silver mane that surrounds their face, present in both sexes. Their tail, which is how they got their name, is long, thin, and hairless with a black, tufted tip resembling a lion's tail
- They are social animals that live in groups of 4 to 30 individuals. These groups typically consist of a few adult males and roughly twice as many females and offspring.
- One of the males will be the alpha male, or leader, of the group. Interestingly, unlike females who tend to stay within the same troop throughout their lives, males will often change groups by joining another and taking over through dominance
- Lion-tailed macaques are rain forest dwellers, favouring the upper canopy of tropical moist evergreen forests and monsoon forests.
- They are diurnal creatures, meaning they are active during the day. They spend roughly half of their day foraging for food and the other half resting or searching for new foraging areas
3. Overview of Lion Tailed Macaque
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Physical Characteristics | Appearance: Lion-like tail with a tuft of fur, silver-grey mane, black body fur. |
| Size: Males (5-10 kg), Females (3-6 kg). | |
| Lifespan: About 20 years in the wild, up to 30 years in captivity. | |
| Habitat and Distribution | Habitat: Tropical rainforests at elevations between 600 and 1500 meters. |
| Geographical Range: Endemic to the Western Ghats of India. | |
| Behavior and Diet | Social Structure: Troops of 10 to 20 individuals, with a dominant male. |
| Diet: Omnivorous, prefers fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, and insects. | |
| Activity: Diurnal and arboreal, excellent climbers, rarely come to the ground. | |
| Reproduction | Breeding: Peaks during the monsoon season. |
| Gestation: About 6 months, typically resulting in a single infant. | |
| Conservation Status | IUCN Red List: Endangered. |
| Threats: Habitat loss due to deforestation, agriculture, logging, and human settlement expansion. | |
| Conservation Efforts: Habitat protection, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, reducing human-wildlife conflict. | |
| Importance in Ecosystem | Ecological Role: Seed dispersal, indicating a healthy, biodiverse forest. |
4. Habitat of Lion-Tailed Macaque
The Lion-tailed Macaque inhabits tropical rainforests, primarily at elevations between 600 and 1500 meters. They are endemic to the Western Ghats of India, a biodiversity hotspot known for its dense, evergreen forests with a complex canopy structure. These macaques prefer undisturbed primary forests but can occasionally be found in secondary forests. They are predominantly arboreal, spending most of their time in the upper canopy. The primary threats to their habitat include destruction due to deforestation, agriculture, logging, and human settlement expansion. This habitat loss and fragmentation significantly impact their population and survival
5. Characteristics of Lion Tailed Macaque
- The Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) possesses several distinct characteristics:
- They have a striking appearance with a mane of silver-grey hair surrounding their face, which contrasts with their black body fur. Their tail, resembling a lion's with a tuft of fur at the end, is a notable feature
- Males are larger than females. Males typically weigh between 5 to 10 kg, while females weigh between 3 to 6 kg
- In the wild, Lion-tailed Macaques live for about 20 years, but they can live up to 30 years in captivity
- These primates are endemic to the Western Ghats of India, inhabiting tropical rainforests at elevations of 600 to 1500 meters
- They live in small troops of about 10 to 20 individuals, usually with a single dominant male, several females, and their offspring. The troops are territorial and maintain a defined home range.
- Omnivorous, their diet primarily consists of fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, and insects. They have a preference for ripe fruits and are known for their foraging habits.They are diurnal and arboreal, spending most of their time in the trees. They are excellent climbers and rarely come to the ground
- The breeding season varies, peaking during the monsoon season. The gestation period is about six months, resulting in the birth of a single infant. The young are primarily cared for by the mother but receive attention from other group members as well
- The Lion-tailed Macaque is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. They face significant threats from habitat destruction due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, logging, and human settlement
6. Behaviour of the Lion-Tailed Macaque
The behaviour of the Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) is quite distinctive and reflects their adaptation to the dense, tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats in India.
Here are the key aspects of their behaviour:
- Lion-tailed Macaques are active during the day (diurnal). They spend the daylight hours foraging, socializing, and traveling within their territory
- These macaques are highly arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in the trees. They are adept climbers and rarely descend to the ground, preferring the safety and resources of the upper canopy
- They live in small social groups, or troops, typically consisting of 10 to 20 individuals. Each troop usually has a single dominant male, multiple females, and their offspring. The social hierarchy within the group is well-defined, with the dominant male often playing a key role in group dynamics and defense
- Lion-tailed Macaques are territorial animals. They maintain and defend a specific home range against other groups. Territorial disputes can involve vocalizations and displays of aggression to ward off intruders
- These macaques use a variety of vocalizations, facial expressions, and body postures to communicate with each other. Vocalizations include calls to alert the group to potential dangers, coordinate movements, and express social bonds
- Their diet is omnivorous, with a preference for fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, and insects. They spend a significant portion of their day foraging for food, which they often find in the upper canopy. Their foraging behavior is crucial for seed dispersal, contributing to forest regeneration
- The breeding season peaks during the monsoon, although it can vary. After a gestation period of about six months, females give birth to a single infant. The mother is primarily responsible for the infant's care, but other group members also engage in alloparenting, providing additional support and protection
- Grooming is an essential social activity among Lion-tailed Macaques. It helps to strengthen social bonds, reduce tension, and maintain hygiene by removing parasites and dirt from their fur
- Their arboreal nature helps them avoid many ground-based predators. However, they remain vigilant against aerial predators and potential threats from the ground. Alarm calls are used to warn group members of danger
- In the wild, they live around 20 years, and up to 30 years in captivity. Younger macaques learn crucial survival skills through observation and interaction with older, more experienced group members
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Conservation of Lion-Tailed Macaque
The Lion-tailed Macaque, with its dwindling population, is classified as "Endangered" by the IUCN. Thankfully, there are conservation efforts underway to protect these primates and their habitat.
The biggest threat to lion-tailed macaques is habitat loss. Deforestation for agriculture, timber, and human settlements is shrinking the rainforests they call home. This habitat fragmentation also disrupts their ability to move freely between forest patches
Key Organizations Involved
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7. Way Forward
Conserving the Lion-tailed Macaque requires a multi-faceted approach involving habitat protection, community involvement, legal enforcement, and continuous research. Collaborative efforts between government agencies, NGOs, local communities, and international organizations are essential to ensure the survival of this unique and endangered primate
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Previous Year Questions
1.In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat? (UPSC CSE 2013)
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Kerala
3. Karnataka
4. Andhra Pradesh
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
A.1, 2 and 3 only
B.2 only
C.1, 3 and 4 only
D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer (A)
The Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) is found in its natural habitat in the Western Ghats of India. The Western Ghats span several states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. However, it is not naturally found in Andhra Pradesh
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Source: The Hindu
