Virtual Flash cards

10 OF THE MOST ENDANGERED PRIMATE SPECIES

#7

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Photo courtesy of © Yin Yan
what is thIS PRIMATE'S common name?
MYANMAR SNUB-NOSED MONKEY
also known as the black snub-nosed monkey
What is the scientific name?
Rhinopithecus strykeri
​WHAT KIND OF PRIMATE IS THIS?
MONKEY
Where do they live?
Myanmar snub-nosed monkeys live between N’mai Hka River and Salween River in Kashin State at the border of Myanmar and China. In addition, 10 known groups live on the eastern slopes of the Gaoligong mountain range toward the Salween River in China. Of those groups, three regularly travel between Myanmar and China. All live at altitudes between 8,500 and 10,000 ft (2600-3100 m).
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Click to enlarge
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Where Myanmar snub-nosed monkeys live: Kachin State, Myanmar (in black). A small population also exists in adjacent parts of Yunnan, China. Map: Dr. Blofeld based on work by Uwe Dedering
New world or old world?
OLD WORLD
fascinating facts
  • The Myanmar snub-nosed monkey was discovered in 2010 and identified as a distinct species in 2011
  • Myanmar snub-nosed monkeys can be distinguished from other snub-nosed monkeys by their entirely black or blackish-brown pelage; their light pink faces contrast strikingly to their dark bodies
  • When it rains, Myanmar snub-nosed monkeys are said to sit with their heads tucked face down between their knees to avoid getting rainwater into their noses; when it happens, they sneeze loudly
  • Estimated population: 260-330 individuals
What threatens their future?
Hunting has always been a threat for Myanmar snub-nosed monkeys. They are sought after for their fur, meat, bones, and brains. Even when they may not be the main targets, the monkeys can get caught in iron traps set for bears. The problem is exacerbated because hunting methods have dramatically evolved, from bows and homemade powder guns to factory-made shotguns.
The human population has exploded over the last twenty years. Human-induced stress on the environment, the forest, and its products (timber, medicinal plants, bark, scented woods, and maple trees) is therefore increasing. Consequently, the Myanmar snub-nosed monkey's habitat is threatened by an increasing road construction and the expansion of logging activities. Forest fragmentation causes species populations to be separated and makes them less adaptable and more vulnerable to climate changes, diseases, and other disruptions.
​WHAT IS their CONSERVATION STATUS?
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
What Does this Conservation Status mean?
Critically Endangered (CR) – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
Any species categorized as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable is considered by conservation scientists to be a threatened species
​HERE'S A SNAPSHOT AND THE SPECIES' PROFILE
Click or tap on the graphic to enlarge it
​LEARN MORE ABOUT Myanmar snub-nosed Monkeys
Go to the Myanmar snub-nosed monkey Primate Species Profiles page
are Myanmar snub-nosed monkeys good pets?
NO
  1. Myanmar snub-nosed monkeys are wild animals. They are adapted to live at very high altitudes. Their environmental and dietary needs cannot be adequately met or replicated in human living conditions. 
  2. To become pets, baby primates are stolen from their mothers. As a result, they do not develop normally emotionally.
  3. When taken from the wild, their mothers are killed to capture the baby.
  4. Primates are never domesticated. They always remain wild. 
  5. Caged primates are very unhappy and frustrated. They are likely to resist confinement. They are quick and cause damaging bites and scratches. Some die as a result of their captivity.
  6. Many locations have strict regulations that prohibit trading in or keeping primates and endangered species are pets.
  7. Myanmar snub-nosed monkeys belong with other snub-nosed monkeys in the mountains of Myanmar and China. They and their habitats must be protected, not exploited.
#PrimatesAreNotPets
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​Common names are not officially defined. They are based on everyday conversational language and may differ by country, region, profession, community, or other factors. As a result, it is not unusual for a species to have multiple common names.

Scientific names, on the other hand, are standardized and constant. They are Latinized and rule-bound by a formal naming system called binominal nomenclature. Scientific names prevent misidentification. They typically only change if a species is officially redesignated.
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The biological order of Primates is divided into these classifications:​
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​​New World monkeys are native to Central and South America.

Old World monkeys are native to Africa and Asia.
Learn about the differences between New World monkeys and Old World monkeys
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  • ​Extinct (EX) – No known individuals remaining.
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW) – Known only to survive in captivity.
  • Critically Endangered (CR) – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
  • Endangered (EN) – High risk of extinction in the wild.
  • Vulnerable (VU) – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
  • Near Threatened (NT) – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
  • Least Concern (LC) – Widespread and abundant.
  • Data Deficient (DD) – Not enough data to assess the species' risk of extinction.
  • Not Evaluated (NE) – Has not yet been evaluated.
Learn more about ​Conservation Statuses
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