One of the world’s rarest and most extraordinary primates, found only in the high mountains of Yunnan, China, and the eastern edge of Tibet. Known locally as the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, it lives at altitudes of 3,000 to 4,700 meters (10,000–15,400 feet). Its thick black-and-white coat, pink lips, and short, upturned nose give it an almost otherworldly look, perfectly suited for its harsh alpine home. In winter, snow often blankets its range for months at a time, yet these monkeys survive where few others could.

With long, dense fur and a stocky build, the black-and-white snub-nosed monkey can withstand frigid temperatures that would be deadly to most primates. Its diet is also unusual: while many monkeys rely on fruits and leaves, these snub-nosed monkeys often eat lichens that grow on fir and spruce trees, a food source that few animals can digest. This adaptation allows them to endure the long winters of their mountainous forests when other food is scarce. During warmer months, they supplement their diet with leaves, buds, seeds, and flowers, but lichens remain a staple year-round.

The black-and-white snub-nosed monkey is sometimes nicknamed the “snow monkey of the Himalayas”, though they are distinct from Japan’s hot-spring macaques. Their turned-up noses, once thought to be a deformity, are actually an adaptation: locals say rainwater runs into their nostrils when they look up, which is why they often sit with their heads tucked down. These monkeys are also sacred in local Tibetan culture, where they are regarded as protectors of the forests. Despite their cultural importance, they are listed as Endangered, with fewer than 2,000 individuals remaining in the wild, threatened by logging, climate change, and habitat loss.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

China

<2,000

EN

2015