Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, as they are often called, are native to Japan and live in mountainous, deep-forested areas in the coldest environs of any primates other than human beings. The environment in which they live has temperatures ranging from 5°F in the winter months to 73°F in the summer. Snow monkeys have thick coats to survive the cold winters, are good swimmers, and soak in natural hot springs to keep warm during the winter.
Snow monkeys live in troops. They have strong social bonds, particularly among the females. Each troop is led by a dominant alpha male. Their normal lifespan is 25-30 years. They eat plants, nuts, fruits, and some insects, foraging during the day and roosting in trees at night.
Bonnet macaques are native to India. Their natural habitat ranges from wet lowlands to dry deciduous forests up to 2000 meters. The name bonnet arose because of the way the fur on their head is formed, resembling a hat. The tail is often two-thirds the length of the body. Group sizes range from 3 to around 80 individuals. The bonnet macaque has a multimale-multifemale social system. Females remain in their natal group with the onset of maturity, but males will disperse shortly before adolescence. There is a hierarchical system amongst group members based upon the matriline.
Like other macaques, the lifespan of a bonnet can be 30 years. They are active during the day, spending their time in trees and on the ground. Their diet consists of fruits, nuts, seeds, flowers, cereals, and insects and other small animals.
Learn more about Vervets
