Roxellan's rhinopithecines, or golden snub-nosed monkeys, are very unusual animals in appearance. They have golden hair and short upturned noses. But most of all, the complexion of the monkeys is striking: they have it blue! The article will describe the distinctive features, living conditions, habits of the Roxellan rhinopithecine. Photos will also be featured.
History of discovery and naming
It is believed that the French lazarist preacher, botanist and zoologist Armand David was the first to discover these amazing animals in the untouched mountain forests of Sichuan. It happened in the 60s of the 19th century. Looking ahead, we can say that he went down in history primarily as a person who discovered new species of animals from distant China for Europeans, and not as a successful missionary. Among them, for example, are the deer of David, the reed sutora (a bird of the Warbler family), the giant panda.
The name of the species was given in honor of the historical character - the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent,Ottoman sultan, who, as you know, was called Roksolana. According to legend, she amazed the people of Istanbul with her graceful upturned Slavic nose. The noses of some of the old golden rhinopithecines seen by Armand David were so turned up that they reached the forehead! Therefore, a new species of monkeys with an unusual appearance was named Rhinopithecus roxellanae (currently Pygathrix roxellana).
General characteristics, description
These are relatively small primates. The body length of an adult monkey is 57-75 centimeters, the tail is almost the same length: 50-70 centimeters. Female monkeys of Roxella rhinopithecines are usually larger than males: their weight is from 25 to 35 kilograms. Males weigh an average of about 16 kilograms.
Males differ from females not only in size, but also in coat color. So, they have it on the back of the head, shoulders, back of the arms and tail has a gray-black color, and in females it is brown-black. On the face, the inner surface of the limbs, it is golden. The upturned nose is given by skin flaps on wide nostrils.
Habitat
These amazing animals in China live in the southwestern region, in the mountains located along the Tibetan plateau, at an altitude of 1400 - 4000 meters. Their habitual environment is deciduous and coniferous forests. Formally, this is a subtropical region, but the temperature here during the cold season is quite low, below zero, and snow often falls, which can lie for up to six months. However, roxellanic rhinopithecines tolerate frost well. They are rescued by thick wool with a lush undercoat, and also by the fact that they sleep at night.all together, hugging each other closely.
In search of food, Roxella rhinopithecines can leave their familiar terrain and descend into valleys and foothills. In summer, these primates, on the contrary, rise higher, to the very border of the forests.
The largest populations of golden rhinopithecines live in the territory of the Wolong National Park, located in Sichuan Province (Wenchuan County). However, their distribution area goes far to the north, to the southern regions of the neighboring province of Gansu.
Features of behavior
Rhoxellanic rhinopithecines are collective animals. They live in groups, usually 5-10 individuals, but can also stray into huge flocks, in which there are about 600 individuals. Within clans there is a division into families, the leaders of which are usually kept separate from females and cubs. They may associate with other males. Females are quite noisy and cocky, because of this, noise often reigns around and quarrels arise. Angry monkeys can growl and even bark-like screams.
Roxellanic rhinopithecies sleep, as mentioned above, closely clinging to each other and warming up in this way. Helper females take care of the babies. Cubs are usually placed in the center of the group, guarding and protecting. The males are located outside to protect the family in case of danger.
Food
The diet of golden rhinopithecines in summer consists of young shoots of plants and foliage, flowers, fruits and seeds, lichens. In winter, their food is coarser:tree bark, pine needles. Animals get food both on trees and on the ground.
Reproduction
Rhinopithecine females reach puberty at the age of four or five, and males at seven years. Mating, depending on the habitat, occurs in different months, from August to November. Pregnancy lasts 7 months. The female gives birth to one cub, which she feeds with milk for a year, and sometimes longer if it is winter time and there is not enough food yet.
Interesting facts
- Rhinopithecines spend much of their time caring for their golden coat.
- These animals are listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a species threatened with extinction. In the wild, no more than 5,000 individuals survived. They live in remote areas, so most of the information about golden rhinopithecines - their behavior, reproduction, etc., was obtained through observation of primates in captivity.
- Monkeys spend most of their lives in trees. If they feel danger, they climb to the very tops.
