post #1556281

The Japanese macaque, also known as the snow monkey, is a species of macaque that, as the name states, is native to Japan. In Japan, the species is known as Nihonzaru (ニホンザル, a combination of Nihon 日本 "Japan" + saru 猿 "monkey") to distinguish it from other primates, but the Japanese macaque is familiar enough in Japan that saru most usually is used for the Japanese macaque. They get their alternate name, snow monkey, from the fact that their habitat is snowy for long months each year. They are the most northern-living non-human primate; no other primate lives in a colder climate.

Japanese macaques have short stumps for tails, with pinkish faces and posteriors. The rest of its body is covered in brown or greyish fur. The coat of the macaque is well-adapted to the cold and its thickness increases as temperatures decrease.

They are a very intelligent species, often copying group behaviors and even passing behaviors down generationally quite quickly. The species is well known for its unusual group behaviors, such as their bathing habits. They often bathe together in natural hot springs for warmth.

See also

• mammal
• primate
• monkey
• macaque
• japanese_macaque