September 10, 2011 at 5:00 pm

Picture of the Day: Snow Monkeys Lounging in Hot Springs

by twistedsifter

 

SNOW MONKEYS LOUNGING IN HOT SPRINGS

 

snow monkeys in hot springs japanese macaques Picture of the Day: Snow Monkeys Lounging in Hot Springs
Photograph by YOSEMITE

 

Seen here are Japanese Macaques, commonly known as Snow Monkeys, lounging in the Jigokudani Hot Spring in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Jigokudani Monkey Park is famous for its large population of wild Japanese Macaques that go to the valley during the winter, foraging elsewhere in the national park during the warmer months. Starting in 1963, the monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters of the onsen (hotsprings), and return to the security of the forests in the evenings. Japanese Macaques are the most northern-living as well as the most polar-living primate other than humans in the world. [Source: Wikipedia]

 

via Wikimedia Commons