The Roving Ronin Report

Here are a few short clips of Japanese Macaque or Snow Monkey taken at Jigokudani Park in Nagano Prefecture. Japanese Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani Park in Nagano Japanese snow monkeys get excited as feeding time approaches. Dignified Snow Monkey Enjoying his Bath This scene reminds of the art film Baraka which had a scene of a snow monkey (might even be the same one) staring contently from his hot springs bath. Japanese Snow Monkey enjoys a hot springs massage Just like humans, Japanese Snow Monkeys like to unwind and relax at hot springs. Baby Snow Monkey with Mother A Baby Snow Monkey with its mother. Another baby monkey darts by on the left.

Japanese Snow Monkeys Enjoy a Warm Dip to fight Winter’s Chill Generally when one thinks of monkeys and their environment, one imagines tropical jungles, not snowy hills. This is what makes the native Japanese monkey, the macaque or “snow monkey,” so unique. The Japanese macaque is the only species of monkey that lives as far north as it does. Macaques can be found in several places in Japan in environments raging from subtropical to sub-alpine. The northernmost group of Japanese macaque grow thick furry coats in winter. Japanese Macaques have thick winter coats In the 1970s Life magazine first featured the Japanese macaque monkey enjoying a wintry dip in a hot springs near Nagano. Thus was born the international fame of the so-called “snow monkeys” of Japan. With their thick fur coats, almost human-like faces, and their deep, soulful eyes, the snow monkeys quickly won the hearts of people worldwide. Playing in the snow Macaques grow to 79 to 95 cm (2 to 4 feet) and weigh 10 to 14 kg (...