Cyber FlashCards

10 of the weirdest primate species

#8

what is thIS PRIMATE'S common name?
YUNNAN SNUB-NOSED MONKEY
Also called the black snub-nosed monkey
​and the black-and-white snub-nosed monkey
What is the scientific name?
Rhinopithecus bieti
​WHAT KIND OF PRIMATE IS THIS?
MONKEY
Where do they live?
The Yunnan snub-nosed monkey is endemic to the Yunnan Province of China—specifically in the Yunling mountain range in northwestern Yunnan and southeastern Tibet. This region borders the Tibet Autonomous Region to the northwest, the provinces of Sichuan to the north, Guizhou to the east, and the Zhuang Autonomous Region of Guangxi to the southeast, as well as the countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar.
Picture
Asia
Picture
Where Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys live (in green). Map: Chermundy & IUCN/Creative Commons
New world or old world?
OLD WORLD
fascinating facts
  • Only found in the Trans-Himalayas in China's Yunnan Province; a region characterized by isolated forests, inaccessible canyons, and deep valleys
  • They are the only nonhuman primates that live at such high altitudes and low temperatures
  • It is speculated that their flat noses protect them from frostbite
  • One of the most protected species in China, only an estimated 2,000 individuals remain
What threatens their future?
Deforestation and climate change are the main causes of the species’ decline. Habitat fragmentation and the lack of forest corridors contribute to the genetic isolation and inbreeding of southern troops, especially because the southern Yunnan region is most influenced by human presence. These gentle creatures are also at risk from poaching—many lose limbs in snares set for deer, and sometimes become poisoned by pesticides used by the forestry department for pest control.
​WHAT IS their CONSERVATION STATUS?
ENDANGERED
What Does this Conservation Status mean?
Endangered (EN) – 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 yUNNAN SNUB-NOSED MONKEYS
Go to the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey Primate Species Profiles page
are YUNNAN SNUB-NOSED MONKEYS good pets?
NO
  1. Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys have very specific climatic, environmental, and dietary needs that cannot be replicated or met 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. Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys belong with other snub-nosed monkeys high in the mountains of 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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