Japanese Snow Monkeys
One of the highlights of my life was to be able to hike up to the hot springs near Nagano, Japan this past winter to see the Japanese macaques, aka Snow monkeys.
No other non-human primate lives farther north, nor in a colder climate.
In this photograph one of the monkeys is grooming the other one which was a common behavior we observed between many of these primates of all ages.
I read that Japanese macaques groom each other for a variety of social and hygienic reasons. Grooming strengthens social bonds, helps establish and maintain hierarchies, and serves as a way to manage stress and potentially attract dominant males. It also plays a role in hygiene, as they remove parasites and debris from each other's fur.
- Macaca fuscata
Japanese Snow Monkeys
One of the highlights of my life was to be able to hike up to the hot springs near Nagano, Japan this past winter to see the Japanese macaques, aka Snow monkeys.
No other non-human primate lives farther north, nor in a colder climate.
In this photograph one of the monkeys is grooming the other one which was a common behavior we observed between many of these primates of all ages.
I read that Japanese macaques groom each other for a variety of social and hygienic reasons. Grooming strengthens social bonds, helps establish and maintain hierarchies, and serves as a way to manage stress and potentially attract dominant males. It also plays a role in hygiene, as they remove parasites and debris from each other's fur.
- Macaca fuscata