A creature scientifically named Leontopithecus rosalia appears to resemble a lion on the outside but is, in fact, a relatively gentle primate, commonly referred to as the “Lion in the Trees.”
This tree-dwelling lion typically lives in small groups and moves swiftly through the branches in search of food. Its diet mainly consists of fruits, insects, lizards, bird eggs, and even small birds. When feeling sleepy, it retreats into tree hollows to rest.
While its outward appearance closely resembles a lion, Leontopithecus rosalia also sports a mane like a male lion and has beautiful golden fur; its face is hairless, and its ears are hidden beneath the golden coat. Its hands and feet are long, and a unique feature is that its fingers have claws resembling talons, except for the large thumb, which has a flat nail.
The breeding season occurs from September to March of the following year. After a gestation period of 132 to 134 days, the mother gives birth to one or two offspring, with triplets being a rare occurrence.
In true lions, male lions are responsible for protecting their cubs from becoming prey for hungry hyenas. In the case of the tree lion, the male also takes on the role of a diligent father, caring for the young except during nursing periods. When the cubs begin to eat solid food, the father lion even knows how to soften the food by squeezing it with his fingers.
Cubs become independent in searching for food by the age of three months. Adult males typically have a body length of about 0.5 meters, a tail length of approximately 0.4 meters, and weigh around 0.7 kilograms. The average lifespan of this species is about ten years.
The species Leontopithecus rosalia is currently facing the risk of extinction due to habitat loss caused by human destruction of their natural environment. However, they are being well cared for in various wildlife reserves. In the early 20th century, the population of tree lions in the wild drastically decreased due to mass capture for zoos. As a result, they now have a chance to survive and avoid extinction.
In the wild, tree lions are primarily distributed in the coastal rainforest region of Brazil.
