NAGANO JAPAN
SNOW MONKEY RESORTS
logo_circle
CONTACT
BLOG
PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN JULY 2018
  • PHOTOBLOG: JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK IN JULY 2018

    Summer has arrived at the Snow Monkey Park with the usual heat and humidity you’d expect. While the days can be a little hot, July is a great time to visit the park. The monkeys have been coming in big numbers through the past month with numerous babies now spread through the troop.

    Snow Monkeys_180711_0284

    Born through late-April to June, most babies are now finding their feet and independence as the new mothers relax a little and allow their bubs to stray a little further in exploration of the park. Watching the little guys stumble and crash through the summer foliage and over rocks is undeniably adorable.

    Snow Monkeys_180711_0287

    Nothing is more adorable than when when two or more babies team up to explore the monkey park, which typically includes a lot of gnawing on trees and awkward wrestling (which typically concludes with one or more monkeys falling off the others).

    Snow Monkeys_180711_0289

    Mums swoop in when necessary and become a preferred method of transport for their babies when they tire themselves out or are on the move quickly. While the mums are attentive to their bubs, the other older monkeys continue to go about their business foraging among the new growth of summer and resting in the shade of trees and shrubs.

    Snow Monkeys_180711_0292Snow Monkeys_180710_0293

    Visitors to the Snow Monkey Park in July will notice the monkeys are now malting, their long winter coats falling-out as the temperature continues to rise. The monkeys malt at varying rates with some already short-haired across their bodies, while others look a little odd with patches of longer hair punctuating smoother areas.

    Snow Monkeys_180711_0280

    The troop’s alpha male Tomamu (as pictured above), has lost his winter coat quickly. He’s looking sharp and has regained some weight since winter, now coming to the park regularly. If you’re visiting the Snow Monkey Park in summer look out for him. He’s very distinctive with a scar on his top lip which droops over his lower. Tomamu is now 23 years old so getting a little long in the tooth (the oldest monkey in the troop is 24 with maximum life expectancy of 25 to 30 years of age). It’s unknown how long he’ll be alpha as there are always younger, ambitious monkeys eyeing-off the top job.

    Snow Monkeys_180710_0179

    Summer is a beautiful time of year and a great time to visit the Snow Monkey Park. The monkeys continue to come to the park in big numbers however tourist numbers are much lower than winter, allowing guests to really explore and enjoy the park and its furry residents with space and ease. July has been terrific and we expect more of the same in August.

     

    Snow Monkey Resorts operates tours all year round and we’d love to introduce you to the park and the region. We hope to see you here soon!