Forest of the Golden Monkey (Full Episode) | The Hidden Kingdoms of China

National Geographic・2 minutes read

The golden snub-nosed monkey is a highly sociable and vocal primate living in China's remote mountain forests, known for unique adaptations for winter survival, such as traveling on two legs in snow and huddling together to share body heat. The monkeys' troop consists of five families, each with one male, several females, and their young, showcasing a cycle of life where the family continues to grow and support each other in harsh winter conditions.

Insights

  • The golden snub-nosed monkey, an endangered primate in China, lives in high mountain forests, showcasing unique adaptations for winter survival like thickening coats and traveling on two legs in snow.
  • These monkeys, with a troop structure of five families each, rely on a diverse diet including fresh leaves in spring and carbohydrate-rich bark in winter, showcasing a strong social bond and cooperative behavior for survival, especially evident during harsh winters when they huddle together for warmth and support.

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Recent questions

  • What is the habitat of the golden snub-nosed monkey?

    The golden snub-nosed monkey lives in China's remote mountain forests, up to 13,000 feet above sea level.

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Summary

00:00

Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey: China's Sociable Primate

  • The golden snub-nosed monkey is a highly sociable and vocal primate living in China's remote mountain forests.
  • The endangered golden snub-nosed monkey lives in high mountain forests up to 13,000 feet above sea level.
  • The monkeys' troop consists of five families, each with one male, several females, and their young.
  • The monkeys spend a quarter of daylight hours in spring eating fresh new leaves, their favorite food and a protein source.
  • The Chinese giant salamander, living in the same area, is the largest amphibian in the world and critically endangered.
  • The baby golden snub-nosed monkey explores her forest home, interacting with other creatures and playful youngsters.
  • The baby monkey learns essential skills by imitating others and following her instincts.
  • In fall, the monkeys prepare for winter by eating bamboo leaves and pine needles as the trees shed their leaves.
  • The monkeys have unique adaptations for winter survival, including thickening coats and traveling on two legs in snow.
  • The golden snub-nosed monkeys are the only monkeys known to travel on two legs in snow, reducing contact with icy ground.

37:19

Winter Monkeys Survive on Bark and Heat

  • Monkeys in winter rely on carbohydrate-rich bark and lichens as their main food source to generate enough body heat to survive the cold temperatures, aided by diverse gut organisms and a multi-chambered stomach for digestion.
  • During the harsh winter, the monkeys share body heat by huddling together, with the family and fellow bachelors playing a crucial role in their survival, showcasing a cycle of life where the family continues to grow and support each other.
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