ລີງອາຊາມ ( Eastern Assamese Macaque, Assamese Macaque, Western Assamese Macaque, Western Assamese Macaque and pelops)

Macaca coolidgei Osgood, 1932
Macaca macclellandii (Gray, 1846)
Macaca problematicus (Gray, 1870)
Macaca sikimensis (Hodgson, 1867)
Macacus assamensis (MacClelland, 1839)
Macacus pelops Hodgson, 1840

Cercopithecidae

ລີງກັງ / Pig-tailed Macaque
ລີງເສນ / Stump-tailed Macaque
ລີງຫາງຍາວ / Long-tailed Macaque
ລີງວອກ/ Rhesus Macaque

This medium-sized monkey has long, soft fur, with adult males having especially long fur on their shoulders. The fur can range in colour from brown to reddish or black, and their legs are typically the same colour or slightly lighter. Their tails are short and vary in hair coverage. The fur on their belly is thinner and lighter than the fur on their back, but it is still darker than their belly skin.

They have a distinctive grey patch of fur that starts in the middle of their head and extends towards the back. The front of their heads is short-haired and brown, giving them a bald appearance. Their moustaches and beards are a slightly lighter colour than their back fur. The thin hair on their faces and cheekbones reveals their pink or red cheekbones, and the area around their nose and mouth is shiny or black.

As they age, both males and females develop grey hair across their bodies. Adult males measure 51.7 to 65 cm in length, weigh 9.9 to 15.5 kg, and have a tail length of 1.7 to 8 cm. Adult females are slightly smaller, measuring 48.5 to 53 cm in length, weighing 7.5 to 9.1 kg, and have a tail length of 1.7 to 6 cm.

Behaviour: The Macaca assamensis is an active creature that spends its days foraging for food. They can be found both on the forest floor and climbing through the trees. They begin their daily routine at dawn, searching for food until around 10 or 11 o'clock. After a midday rest and play, they continue foraging until the afternoon. These animals mostly eat plants, like fruits, seeds, flowers, leaves, and roots. They also sometimes eat small animals, such as insects, crabs, frogs, birds, and bird eggs.
Male Macaca assamensis reach sexual maturity around 4 years old and start producing sperm. Females mature a little earlier, becoming able to reproduce before they turn 5. The pregnancy period for a female macaca assamensis is approximately 177 days.
Sources: [4], [5], [6

Native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Viet Nam
Global distribution between 2003 to 2024. Source: [7]

Northern Mekong Corridor
Annamite Highlands and Xieng Khuang Plateau
Northern Annamites
Central Annamites
Southern Mekong Corridor

Bamboo forest
Evergreen forest
Dry dipterocarp forest
Old bush fallow
Cliffs

Native

Not invasive

Near threatened

List I: Prohibited species

Use prohibited

This species is endangered in Laos. Its use is prohibited by Lao wildlife law. The PKL team firmly condemns any collection, hunting, trade, or use of this species.

Wild

January
February
October
November
December

Habitat preservation: This species faces several threats for its survival. Some include habitat destruction from activities like logging and human development. Invasive species from other areas can also cause problems. Hunting and trapping for various reasons, including sport, medicine, food, and the pet trade, further endanger this species. Lastly, interbreeding with other closely related species can weaken the genetic diversity of some populations [9].

Population monitoring: There is little information available on the global population. Although it is thought to be relatively high, there is decline in the wild populations in certain countries, but not throughout the distribution. It is probably the most common macaque species in Lao PDR, where it is widespread through hill and mountain forest ranges, though no population estimate is available. [8]

N/A

N/A

Nutrient	/100g	Remark
Proteins	N/A	N/A
Carbohydrates	N/A	N/A
Fats	N/A	N/A
Vitamins	N/A	N/A
Minerals	N/A	N/A
Fibers	N/A	N/A

Adult Macaca assamensis. [1] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded in April 2023 by: ralf_buerglin. Available: www.inaturalist.org/observations/154054344. [Accessed: 22 August 2024]
Macaca assamensis from the side. [2] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded in November 2020 by: Ayuwat. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/228390081 [Accessed: 22 August 2024]
Younger Macaca assamensis. [3] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded in June 2023 by: paulkingsnorth Available: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/166243050 [Accessed: 22 August 2024]

[4] D. Prathumtong and A. P. Khlaipet, “Mammals of Natural world heritage Thung Yai Naresuan – Huai Kha Khaeng,” Pahum Thani: National Science Museum Thailand. 2022
[5] O. V. Schülke, D. N. Pesek, J. Brigham, Whitman & J. L. Ostner (2011) Ecology of Assamese Macaques (Macaca assamensis) at Phu Phie-Wildlife sanctuary, Thailand, Journal of Wildlife in Thailand Vol.18 No.1 [online]. Available: https://thaiscience.info/Journals/Article/JWIT/10809073.pdf [Accessed: 22.08.2024]
[6] I. Fürtbauer, O. L. Schülke, M. C. Heistermann & J. L. Ostner (2010). “Reproductive and Life History Parameters of Wild Female Macaca assamensis,” [Online]. Uploaded on 14 May 2020. Available: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10764-010-9409-3.pdf [Accessed: 22 August2024]
[7] Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), “Macaca assamensis (McClelland, 1840),” [Online]. Available: https://www.gbif.org/species/2436610. [Accessed: 26 September 2024]
[8] International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), “Macaca assamensis,” The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, [Online]. Available: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12549/17950189. [Accessed: 22 August 2024]
[9] ສະພາແຫ່ງຊາດ. (2023) ກົດໝາຍວ່າດ້ວຍສັດປ່າ (ສະບັບປັບປຸງ)