These Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, have taken to plunging into hot springs to protect themselves from the fierce, freezing conditions of the snowy highlands where they live.
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| Photo by Billy Pasco on Unsplash |
They learned of the benefits of the springs just 50 years ago, copying humans who bathed in the boiling water that bubbles out of crevices in the frozen ground in an area known as Hell’s Valley.
In order to avoid clashes over the hot water, a special pool for the monkeys was built higher up in the valley, away from people.
The warm-water dips are a useful second line of defence for the primates, who have a double layer of thick fur that enables them to withstand temperatures as low as -15C.
The intelligent monkeys also make snowballs just for fun, and have been seen indulging in playful fights.
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