Japanese Snow Macaque is an incredibly cute and funny animal. This mammal lives in a rather harsh climate. Japanese macaque would have died out long ago had it not been for the careful attention of zoologists who constantly monitor the state of the population. Currently, this species of primates is listed in the Red Book and is under the threat of complete extinction.
Habitat
Among the Japanese islands, there is one that the hero of our review has chosen - the Japanese macaque. This is the northernmost species of primates, and the island of Yakushima, with a rather harsh climate, is their homeland.
In 1972, one and a half dozen heterosexual individuals were transported to the USA, to the state of Texas, but in the 80s several individuals escaped into the forests outside the farm on which they lived. As a result, the United States added to its natural habitat. Also, these animals can be seen in zoos, in particular, in Moscow. In fact, these are thermophilic animals. They could well take root in the southern countries of Europe. However, their love of raiding empty houses, ruining gardens and vegetable gardens, as well as spoiling flower beds in parks forces them to keep a small number of individuals only in closed aviaries of zoos.
Appearance
Japanese macaque looks quite large and impressive. It's all about thick, long and fluffy hair. The beast looks especially beautiful in the cold season, when it is overgrown with winter wool. It is gray-steel with a bronze tint.
Nature has not endowed this species of monkeys with a long tail. They can only boast of a very short, hare-like, charming round ball.
The growth of the largest male does not reach 100 cm, and the weight does not exceed 15 kg. Females are much smaller. They are easy to distinguish by the way they behave. Males are more impudent, and females try to stay more modest. Often a cub hangs on their hands or back.
The muzzle of the monkeys and other parts not covered with hair, in the winter, from water and cold air weathered and turn red.
The Japanese value the population as a national treasure
A flock is a family of several dozen macaques of different sex and age. The Japanese spend large amounts of the country's budget on maintaining the population. The decrease in the number of individuals of one flock is always fraught with rapid extinction due to closely related marriages, weakening the gene pool.
The average lifespan of snow macaque is 25-30 years. It is also a merit of zoologists and veterinarians, closely monitoring the health status of their wards.
Pregnancy in Japanese snow monkeys lasts six months. There is only one cub in the litter, weighing up to 500 grams. Twins or triplets are a rare case, and it is immediately announced throughout the country. The Japanese carefully monitor the health of mothers and babies. In snow monkeys, offspring are looked after not only by females, but also by males. If you come across a monkey with a baby on its back, then do not think that this is necessarily a mother and a child. It may well be that you happened to meet a caring dad.
A game or a manifestation of a household vein?
I must say that monkeys do not tolerate cold at all, even the plus temperature, close to 0 degrees. But not the Japanese macaque. Photos of winter Yakushima show the monkeys in the most cheerful mood. This species of monkey is distinguished by good sociability. If there is snow on the island, and this is not uncommon in Japan, you can see how Japanese macaques play snowballs.
In fact, animals do not play with snow the way people do. Monkeys are snowballing presents received from visitors to the nursery. They do it very carefully. The result is a neat and even bun.
Hot Springs - Salvation for Little Primates
Although the monkeys are thermophilic, they feel great in the five-degree frost. For this they were nicknamed the Japanese snow monkeys. In fact, lakes with warm water from underground sources save from the cold of charming animals. Animals, crawling out of warm water in the cold, freeze in the same way as people. And it is not by chance that we see that, having climbed into the water at the very neck, Japanese macaques are sitting in a hot flock with the whole flock. Photos show that they do not play in the snow if the coat is wet. At such a time it is not easy for them.
Diet
The nursery ministers feed the monkeys three times a day, but in the open air the metabolism is accelerated, and you want to eat constantly. The most daring and healthy individuals do not climb into the water until it is completely cold. As much as you can endure, they are engaged in the extraction of food. Food in large quantities is brought by tourists. They are always full in the park. Monkeys with dry hair take handouts from them and belong to the family. Work is not easy, because you need to feed everyone.
Monkeys eat both plant and animal food. With pleasure they catch small crustaceans from the bottom of reservoirs, snails and insect larvae. In summer they climb trees and devastate bird's nests. If they catch a mouse, then they will eat it. The main food is vegetables, fruits and root crops.
At night, when tourists leave the territory, and the frost grows stronger, you can see how closely all the Japanese macaques come together in a heap. In hot springs they sit until morning and do not crawl out of them anywhere.
