A captivating and visually striking primate found in the mountainous forests of southwestern China. This species is renowned for its vibrant fur and distinctive facial features, making it one of the most photogenic monkeys in the world.

One of the most notable characteristics of the golden snub-nosed monkey is its lush fur, which ranges in color from golden to orange, with shades of blue and black on the face and a white underbelly. The fur not only provides insulation but also adds to the monkey’s dramatic appearance. Their face is particularly unique with a prominent snub nose, from which they get their name, which is thought to be an adaptation to the cold temperatures of their habitat; the flattened nose reduces the area exposed to the chilly air.

Golden snub-nosed monkeys are adapted to live in the cold, often snowy mountain ranges where temperatures can drop well below freezing. Unlike many other primates who seek shelter from the cold, these monkeys are often active during snowy conditions, showcasing their remarkable adaptation to their environment. They have a highly social structure and live in large, multi-level societies, which include one or more family groups consisting of a dominant male, several females, and their offspring.

The diet of the golden snub-nosed monkey is primarily folivorous, consisting mostly of lichen, leaves, bark, and fruit, which varies seasonally depending on availability. This diet is unusual for a primate, as their gut is specially adapted to digest fibrous material more typical of herbivores than of other primates.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

China

8,000-15,000

Official estimate

EN

2015

Gansu, Hubei, Shanxi, Sichuan