Golden snub-nosed monkey

Golden Monkey tabs ( Rhinopithecus roxellana )

The Golden Monkey ( Rhinopithecus roxellana ) is a primate of the group of monkeys Slim ( Presbytini ). It inhabits mountainous forests in central China and is one of the most cold tolerant species of primates in general.

Features

The body length of the Gold stump noses varies 48-68 centimeters, the tail is as long as the body or longer. Males are larger than females and are also much more difficult: Females weigh on average around 11 to 12 kg, while males can reach 18 to 20 kilograms. Depending on the season and habitat significant weight fluctuations are possible, however.

The torso and limbs of these monkeys are reddish - yellow in color, with the color of brownish to light orange may vary. Back and tail are dark brown, a stripe on the head and the shoulders are black in color. The fur of these animals is relatively long with 5 to 8 centimeters for primate grows in males aged a mane -like, golden-yellow hairs on the back, with the hair up to half a meter can be long. The muzzle is white and hairless, the region around the eyes is light blue. Like all truncated nose they are characterized by a short upturned nose, whose openings are directed forwards. In the corners of the mouth grow wart-like growths in adult males. These growths occur otherwise in any primate species; their function is not known.

Distribution and habitat

Golden Monkey noses are endemic to China. They live in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Hubei and Shaanxi. Habitat of this species are mountainous coniferous or mixed forests, they occur at altitudes 1200-3300 meters. Their habitat is in the winter months often several snowy, these animals are among the most cold tolerant of all primates. In the colder regions of their range, such as the Shennongjia Forest or of the Qinling Mountains, the average winter temperature -8 ° C can be as high as -4 ° C, while in summer 22 ° C to 24 ° C.

Way of life

Activity times and locomotion

Like all Old World monkeys are diurnal Gold stump noses. You have two activity highlights, once in the morning and once in the early afternoon. At these times, they roam their territory and spend the next hour searching for food. At noon they raced. These monkeys are likely to live in both the trees and on the ground (semi- terrestrial) - here different studies have come to different results. On the ground they move mostly fours continued, but also undertake occasional bipedal steps. Also on the trees they are often quadrupedally road, beside they also soar on the branches ( brachiation ) or bridging distances jumping. Every day she lay back on average 700-2100 meters, less in winter than in summer.

Social behavior

The group behavior of the Golden Monkey Nose is variable, they live in groups of different sizes. Its core consists of harem groups, which are composed of one male, several females and the corresponding offspring. These harem groups are stable and comprise approximately 9 to 18 animals. The male leads the group, the females establish with fighting among themselves a ranking. Keep trying males to take over the dominance of a harem group. This is done through gestures, threats or fights, however, probably also the preference of the females play a certain role in whether a takeover attempt by another male collapsed. Will a new male group, it often comes to infanticide, which means that the male children of his predecessor kills in order to beget offspring with the females can.

Another group are the form bachelor groups consisting of 4-7 males. Several groups close at times to organizations together, which may include several hundred animals. This temporary merger and self- re - splitting ( fission-fusion ) depends inter alia on the food supply and external disturbances. The home range of the group include up to 40 square kilometers, but overlap over a large area.

Food

Golden Monkey noses are herbivores, but the diet varies considerably according to the season. Lichens (eg Usnea ) occupy a good part of the diet, in addition they consume in the warmer months, leaves, fruit, buds and seeds, rarely grasses. In winter, in addition to the lichen and tree bark plays an important role.

Reproduction

The reproduction is seasonal, in the Qinling Mountains about the pairing falls in the months of September to November. The impulse for mating comes mostly from the female. It takes eye contact with the male, and then run a short distance away, sometimes she presents him her genital area. If the male shows interest, which is not always the case, it came to mating. After an approximately six-month gestation period is from March to May usually a single young is born. This is colored white gray initially, back and head black, and the abdomen, after several weeks, the typical yellow coat color appears.

The education of the young animal is the responsibility of the females, other females of the group take care of it. After about five months it takes for the first time solid food, finally weaned it is one to one and a half years. Male pups have to leave at around three years of their birth group, they are sold by the father. Most females, however, remain for life in their natal group.

Threat

Golden Monkey noses are among the most endangered species. The main cause is the destruction of its habitat through deforestation represents the hunt, however, plays only a very minor role. Their settlement area is fragmented into many small parts. The Chinese government has converted much of their remaining distribution area in protected areas; positively affects the mind that lives in parts of their habitat of the giant panda and benefiting the Golden Monkey of the protection measures for these bears. Estimates of the total population amounted to between 8,000 and 20,000 birds; the World Conservation Union IUCN indicates about 15,000 animals and lists the species in the red list of threatened species as endangered ( Endangered ) on.