golden snub-nosed monkey

The golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) is a species of large leaf monkey found in the highland forests of central China. These monkeys are characterized by their broad, short faces, wide-set eyes, and short, flat noses with forward-facing nostrils. They inhabit coniferous montane forests at elevations between 1,800 and 2,700 meters.1

Golden snub-nosed monkeys have rich golden brown to golden red fur, with tails about the same length as their bodies. Adult males develop distinctive red swellings at the corners of their mouths. They are primarily leaf-eaters but also consume flowers, fruits, and seeds, and the high-mountain species also eat lichens. These monkeys live in troops that can number up to 500 individuals, sometimes dividing into smaller family groups. While there are approximately 8,000 to 10,000 golden snub-nosed monkeys in the wild, other snub-nosed monkey species are critically endangered.1