Northern Pig-tailed Macaque

(Macaca leonina)

Naga-Manapuri-Chin Hills Moist Forests

STATISTICS

Height up to

56.4 cm

Length up to

70 cm

Weight up to

6.2 kgs

Lifespan

26 Years

Loud Vocalisations

The Northern Pig-tailed Macaque lives in lowland and hilly rainforests but is more terrestrial than arboreal. It lives in large social groups of up to 80 individuals and travels vast distances while foraging. It is highly frugivorous and as such, is an essential seed disperser. It gets its name from its short pig-tail which it carries in an arch over its back resting on its rump.

The Northern Pig-tailed Macaque can be distinguished from its southern cousin by the diagonal lines which extend up from the corner of each eye. It has a long golden-brown coat with a brown crown and buff-colored cheek whiskers. This species is shy in nature and prefers the shelter of dense forests.

BIODIVERSITY BENEFIT

Seed Disperser

THREATS

Habitat Loss

Due to slash-and-burn agriculture, conversion of forests to tea, rubber & timber plantations, paper mills, and human settlements.

Hunting

Hunted for meat.

Traditional Medicine

Used in Chinese traditional medicine