Just like a rude cowboy; eats shoots and leaves

Just like a rude cowboy; eats shoots and leaves
Originally uploaded by Pandiyan.

Lion tailed Macaque
Macaca silenus

Considered most endangered of all monkeys, not many survive in the wild. Found only in the southern part of Indian subcontinent. This area is designated as a biodiversity hotspot and just as other biodiversity spots it is under heavy threat of human pressure.

These animals do not seem to adjust well to human settlements like their cousin and are listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red list. Though the efforts in the last twenty years have brought them back from the brink, the future is still uncertain. These species are doomed for exisitence only in captivity.

They are called lion-tailed because of the tuft in the tail like that of a lion. However, look at their mane. They can very well be called lion-headed macaque as well. The word macaque is said to come from an African word for monkeys. They are the smallest of all the species of macaques.

They say their voice in the forest can be mistaken for that of a human and the 'coyee' sound that they make resembles the hindi 'koi hai?' meaning 'anyone there'.

EDIT Thanks to all those who liked the title. Let me clarify that it is my creation. It is an old joke and the origin is unknown (to me.)