Golden snub-nosed monkey  (Rhinopithecus roxellana)

The golden snub-nosed monkey is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List (1), and listed on Appendix I of CITES (4). Three subspecies are recognised: the Hubei golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana hubeiensis), the Quinling golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana qinlingensis) and the Moupin golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana roxellana); all are classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The beautiful golden snub-nosed monkey has blackish-grey shoulders, upper arms, back, crown, and tail, with the back being covered in a longer layer of fine silver hairs. In males, the sides of the head, forehead, sides of the neck and underparts are bright golden in colour, hence the common name of this species. Females are generally similar in appearance to males, but the head and upperparts are more brownish black (2). Their noses are, as the name suggests, flattened and set back from the muzzle. The wide nostrils face forwards and there are two small flaps of skin above the nostrils that nearly touch the forehead (2). These monkeys produce a wide range of vocalisations often, remarkably, without making any facial movements, in the manner of a ventriloquist (5).

This species is endemic to western-central China, where it occurs in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Hubei and Shaanxi (1).

The golden snub-nosed monkey inhabits high mountainous forests, reaching elevations of around 3,000 metres (3), but it may descend to lower altitudes in winter (2). It lives in deciduous broadleaved and coniferous forests (1).

The golden snub-nosed monkey is a highly social primate, forming units of 20 to 30 individuals in winter, which often come together into larger troops of up to 200 in the summer (3). Several of these groups may in turn combine temporarily to form enormous bands of up to 600 (3). These larger groups are sub-divided into smaller family units comprising of one dominant male and around four females with their young (2). Most activity occurs in the trees, but some feeding may take place on the ground (2). When threatened, the golden snub-nosed monkey takes refuge by climbing very quickly high up into the trees. It feeds mainly on pine needles and young firs, but may also take bamboo shoots, leaves, buds and fruits (2).

Although golden snub-nosed monkeys display mating behaviour throughout the year, most births tend to occur between March and May (2) (5). Most matings are solicited by the female, who signals her readiness to mate with a number of signals and postures (5). One young is normally produced after an estimated gestation period of around six months (5), although occasionally two infants may be produced (2). It is the mother that provides most of the infant’s care, although other male and female members of the group are also protective over the young infant (5). Sexual maturity is attained at seven years in males and four to five years in females (2).

It was once thought that the fur of Rhinopithecus species could prevent rheumatism, and Manchu officials were the only people allowed to wear the pelts. Hunting for the pelts continues to this day, and other parts of the monkeys are used in traditional ‘medicines’ (2). These monkeys are also hunted for their meat (5). Furthermore, habitat loss is a great and on-going problem (1).

This endearing primate is found in a number of protected areas, including Baihe Nature Reserve, Foping Nature Reserve, Shennongjia Nature Reserve and Wanglang Nature Reserve (1). The golden snub-nosed monkey is also listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning that international trade in this species is prohibited (4).

To supports efforts to conserve China’s wildlife visit:

• The Nature Conservancy:
  www.nature.org/wherewework/asiapacific/china

Authenticated (14/10/05) by Matt Richardson, independent primatologist and writer.

• Endemic: a species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
• Subspecies: a population usually restricted to a geographical area that differs from other populations of the same species, but not to the extent of being classified as a separate species.

1. IUCN Red List (September, 2009)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. Nowak, R.M. (1991) Walker's Mammals of the World.The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.
3. Richardson, M. (2005) Pers. comm.
4. CITES (September, 2009)
   http://www.cites.org
5. Gron, K.J. (2007) Primate Factsheets: Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana).Primate Info Net, Wisconsin Primate Research Centre. Available at: http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/golden_snub-nosed_monkey