The Japanese macaque is a species of Old World monkey native to Japan and are sometimes referred to as ‘Snow Monkeys’.
The Japanese macaque is a very social species, living in groups called ‘troops‘ of around 30 individuals.
All members of the troop not only help groom one another, keeping the group parasite-free, but will also share food and help with parental duties.
Japanese macaques are most famous for their habit of bathing in hot springs. The group will travel to these hot springs and huddle in the warm baths to escape the freezing temperatures.
They are highly intelligent animals and have been observed washing dirt off food in rivers and even playing with snowballs and rocks.
Not only are they the only native monkey species found in Japan, they are also the only monkey species in the world found this far north, often living in freezing temperatures.
Recent studies suggest they develop different ‘accents’ based upon their regional groups, similar to human culture. Macaques troops that were separated by hundreds of miles have different pitches to their calls and range of vocalizations.