Researchers say climate change may be affecting the winter foraging behavior of wild snow monkeys in Japan.
Researchers say climate change may be affecting the winter foraging behavior of wild snow monkeys in Japan.
A team of researchers, including those from the University of Tsukuba, in Ibaraki Prefecture, and Shinshu University, located in Nagano Prefecture, analyzed footage shot by NHK for a nature program, and DNA samples from the feces of Japanese macaques.
From 2022 to 2024, the team studied snow monkeys living in mountainous areas around Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture. The researchers found that the monkeys, regardless of their age or sex, feed on insects from rivers in the winter.
They say the aquatic insects are a valuable source of nutrition for the monkeys when food is scarce.
The researchers found that the number of species of aquatic insects found in the monkeys' feces declined significantly in February last year when average daytime temperatures rose above zero degrees Celsius.
The scientists say it may be because the animals were unable to enter rivers due to upstream snowmelts and rising water levels caused by higher temperatures.
Assistant Professor Takenaka Masaki at the University of Tsukuba says the data suggests that changes in temperature of even a few degrees can alter animals' environments and affect their behavior.
He says more frequent and localized temperature rises caused by climate change may affect the feeding habits of snow monkeys during the winter.
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Quiz 1:
According to the article, where did the researchers study the snow monkeys from 2022 to 2024?
A. Hokkaido Prefecture
B. Nagano Prefecture
C. Ibaraki Prefecture
D. Fukushima Prefecture
Quiz 2:
What was the reason for the decline in species of aquatic insects found in snow monkey feces?
A. Changes in food sources due to climate change
B. Increased pollution in rivers
C. Changes in temperature causing difficulty in accessing rivers
D. Reduction in the number of snow monkeys in the study area
Quiz 3:
What did Assistant Professor Takenaka Masaki suggest about climate change affecting snow monkeys' behavior?
A. Climate change will not affect snow monkeys' behavior
B. Climate change may cause minor changes in snow monkeys' behavior
C. More frequent and localized temperature rises caused by climate change may significantly affect the feeding habits of snow monkeys during the winter
D. Changes in temperature have no impact on animals' environments and behavior
A team of researchers, including those from the University of Tsukuba, in Ibaraki Prefecture, and Shinshu University, located in Nagano Prefecture, analyzed footage shot by NHK for a nature program, and DNA samples from the feces of Japanese macaques.
From 2022 to 2024, the team studied snow monkeys living in mountainous areas around Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture. The researchers found that the monkeys, regardless of their age or sex, feed on insects from rivers in the winter.
They say the aquatic insects are a valuable source of nutrition for the monkeys when food is scarce.
The researchers found that the number of species of aquatic insects found in the monkeys' feces declined significantly in February last year when average daytime temperatures rose above zero degrees Celsius.
The scientists say it may be because the animals were unable to enter rivers due to upstream snowmelts and rising water levels caused by higher temperatures.
Assistant Professor Takenaka Masaki at the University of Tsukuba says the data suggests that changes in temperature of even a few degrees can alter animals' environments and affect their behavior.
He says more frequent and localized temperature rises caused by climate change may affect the feeding habits of snow monkeys during the winter.
----------------
Quiz 1:
According to the article, where did the researchers study the snow monkeys from 2022 to 2024?
A. Hokkaido Prefecture
B. Nagano Prefecture
C. Ibaraki Prefecture
D. Fukushima Prefecture
Quiz 2:
What was the reason for the decline in species of aquatic insects found in snow monkey feces?
A. Changes in food sources due to climate change
B. Increased pollution in rivers
C. Changes in temperature causing difficulty in accessing rivers
D. Reduction in the number of snow monkeys in the study area
Quiz 3:
What did Assistant Professor Takenaka Masaki suggest about climate change affecting snow monkeys' behavior?
A. Climate change will not affect snow monkeys' behavior
B. Climate change may cause minor changes in snow monkeys' behavior
C. More frequent and localized temperature rises caused by climate change may significantly affect the feeding habits of snow monkeys during the winter
D. Changes in temperature have no impact on animals' environments and behavior
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Summary
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba and Shinshu University studied snow monkeys in Nagano Prefecture from 2022 to 2024. They found that these monkeys, regardless of age or sex, feed on insects from rivers during winter. The number of aquatic insect species in their feces declined