Who doesn't enjoy a deep soak in a soothingly warn hot tub? Well, these monkey's are no exception. The Japanese Macaque, more commonly referred to as Snow Monkey's, whose habitat includes the Jigokudani Monkey Park in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefect, Japan, love a warm bath to keep the chill away during the snowy winter. (The hot springs are over 100 degrees Fahrenheit!)
The Japanese Macaque have the most northern range of any primate, aside from humans of course, which in and of itself makes them unique. But their Darwin-like adaptation to combat the cold mountain winter by a spa day is really exceptional. There is a strict pecking order when it comes use of the hot springs, however, with the dominant monkey's and their offspring getting the prime V.I.P. access.
The Jugokudani Monkey Park was established in 1964 as facility where wild Japanese Macaques may be observed in a safe environment without cages or fences. The aim of the wildlife park is to provide an educational experience for zoologists, environmentalist and tourist to better learn about these amazing creatures. The Macaques are provided a healthy free meal of grain by park rangers to encourage their attendance at the hot spring, which serves the dual purposes of maintaining a healthy community and to protect the local farm crops from being raided for food by the monkeys.
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