Gray snub-nosed monkey

Grey snub nose ( Rhinopithecus brelichi )

The Grey snub nose or Guizhou snub nose ( Rhinopithecus brelichi ) is a primate of the group of monkeys Slim ( Presbytini ).

Features

Grey stump noses are relatively colorful primates. The basic color of their fur is gray-brown, a strip at the top of the head is yellow, as are the chest and the inside of the upper arms. The bottom of the back is gray. The area around the eyes is hairless and white or light blue. As with all snub-nosed monkey 's nose is very small and the nostrils protrude forward. With an average of 14 kg males are significantly heavier than females, weighing about 8 kilograms.

Distribution and habitat

Grey stump noses are endemic to China, they only come in the area of ​​Fanjing Mountains in Guizhou Province ago. Habitat is coniferous or mixed forests mountainous, they live at altitudes of 1500-2200 meters. They are relatively hardy and 5 months a year, the temperature can drop below 0 ° C and snow is common in winter.

Way of life

These primates are diurnal and arboreal, which means they stay mostly on trees on. There, they move on all fours or on the branches swinging away. They live in groups of 5 to 10 animals, which are composed of one male, several females and the corresponding offspring. There is also a pure male groups which are smaller with 2-5 animals. Several groups sometimes join together to form larger organizations with up to 400 animals.

They are herbivores, depending on the season they take leaves, buds, fruits and seeds to himself.

Little is known about reproduction. In April or May each containing a single young is born.

Threat

The Grey stump noses were hunted because they are used in Chinese medicine and their fur was popular. Poaching is a problem until today, however, is greater the threat of habitat loss due to deforestation. Today, these animals are almost only present in the 275 km2 Fanjing Shan Nature Reserve. Estimates of the total population amounts to 800 to 1200 animals, the IUCN lists the species as endangered ( endangered ).