Japanese macaque (photo). Japanese snow macaque

The Japanese snow macaque is an incredibly cute and funny animal. This mammal lives in a rather harsh climate. The Japanese macaque would have died out long ago, had it not been for the caring attention of zoologists who constantly monitor the state of the population. Currently, this species of primates is listed in the Red Book and is threatened with complete extinction.

Habitat

Among the Japanese islands there is one that the hero of our review, the Japanese macaque, has chosen. This is the most northern species of primates, and the island of Yakushima, with a rather harsh climate, is their homeland.

In 1972, a dozen differently sexed individuals were transported to the US, to Texas, but in the 1980s several individuals fled to the forests outside the farm on which they lived. As a result, the United States added the Japanese macaque to its natural habitats. Also these animals can be seen in zoos, in particular, in Moscow. In fact, these are heat-loving animals. They could well have settled down in the southern countries of Europe. However, their love to raid empty houses, ruin gardens and vegetable gardens, and also to spoil the flowerbeds in parks compels to keep a small number of individuals only in enclosed enclosures of zoos.

Appearance

The Japanese macaque looks quite large and impressive. It's all about thick, long and fluffy wool. Especially beautiful beast looks in the cold season, when it becomes overgrown with winter wool. She is gray-steel, with a bronze tint.

Nature did not endow this monkey with a long tail. They can boast only a very short, like a hare, a charming round ball.

The growth of the largest male does not reach 100 cm, and the weight does not exceed 15 kg. The females are much smaller. They are easy to distinguish by the way they behave. Males are more insolent, and females try to keep themselves more modest. Often they have on their arms or back hanging cub.

Monkeys of monkeys and other parts of the body, which are not covered with wool, in winter from water and cold air are weathered and become red.

The Japanese value the population as a national treasure

The flock is a family of several dozen macaques of different sex and age. The Japanese spend large sums from the country's budget to maintain the population. Reducing the number of individuals of one flock is always fraught with rapid extinction due to closely related marriages that weaken the gene pool.

The average life expectancy of snow macaques is 25-30 years. This is also the merit of zoologists and veterinarians, who closely monitor the health of their wards.

Pregnancy in Japanese snowball monkeys lasts six months. In litter there is only one cub, weighing up to 500 grams. Double or triplets are a rare event, and it is immediately announced around the country. Japanese carefully monitor the health of mother and children. In snow monkeys, not only females but also males take care of the offspring. If you get a monkey with a baby on your back, then do not think that this is necessarily a mother and child. It may very well be that you have met a caring father.

A game or manifestation of an economic vein?

I must say that monkeys do not tolerate cold, even a plus temperature, close to 0 degrees. But not the Japanese macaque. Photos of the winter Yakushima show monkeys in the most cheerful mood. This kind of monkeys is distinguished by good sociability. If there is snow on the island, and this is a common occurrence for Japan, you can see how the Japanese macaques play snowballs.

In fact, animals do not play with snow the way people do. The monkeys stuff the presents from the kennel visitors with snow. They do it very diligently. As a result, neat and even koloboks are obtained.

Hot springs - a rescue for small primates

Although monkeys are thermophilic, they feel great with a five-degree frost. For this they were nicknamed Japanese snow macaques. In fact, from the cold of charming animals rescued lakes with warm water from underground sources. Animals, getting out of warm water in the cold, freeze the same way as people. And it is not by chance that we see that, having climbed into the water at the very neck, the whole pack are Japanese macaques in hot springs. The photos show that they do not play in the snow if the coat is soaked. At this time, it is not easy for them.

Diet

Servants nursery feed monkeys three times a day, but the fresh air metabolism is accelerating, and there is a hunger all the time. The most daring and healthy individuals do not climb into the water until it becomes quite cold. How much can tolerate, they are engaged in the production of food. Food in large numbers is brought by tourists. They are always full in the park. Monkeys with dry hair take their handouts and refer to the family. Work is not easy, because you need to feed everyone.

Monkeys eat both vegetable and animal food. With pleasure, small crustaceans are extracted from the bottom of reservoirs, snails and insect larvae. In the summer they climb onto trees and ruin the bird's nests. If they catch a mouse, they will eat it too. The main food is vegetables, fruits and root vegetables.

At night, when tourists leave the territory, and the frost hardens, you can see how closely all the Japanese macaques are huddled together. In hot springs, they sit until morning and they do not get out of anywhere.

Love for purity is not the strongest side of the character of monkeys

Despite the fact that cleaning in the nursery is carried out regularly, the smell of the zoo is very much felt. Monkeys do not choose a separate place for the toilet. After all, water in springs, where primates spend most of the time, is cleaned very rarely, and chemical disinfectants can not be used - animals drink the same water.

Obviously, people in these waters should not swim, although sometimes in some photographs one can see brave people, splashing with pleasure in the water next to the macaques.

In conclusion, I want to say that visiting the monkey island, as they call the Yakushima in Japan, always raises the mood and leaves the best impressions. It's very interesting to watch charming little animals, but to feed them is also fun. Even if one of them pulls away your cap, you will still feel great pleasure from communicating with nimble bully.