Head to head
Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey vs Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey
Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey
VS Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey
The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey and golden snub-nosed monkey are two snub-nosed monkeys with upturned noses, but one lives in the limestone hills of Vietnam and the other in the snowy mountains of central China.
| Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey | Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Rhinopithecus avunculus | Rhinopithecus roxellana |
| Range | Limestone forest in a few small areas of northern Vietnam | Mountain forest in central China |
| Colour | A black back, white underparts, and a pale face framed by dark fur | A golden-orange coat, particularly vivid in adult males |
| Nose | A flattened, upturned nose with no bridge | A nearly bridgeless nose, thought to reduce the risk of frostbite |
| Diet | Mainly leaves, along with seeds, fruit, and flowers | Leaves, lichen, and bark in colder months, plus fruit and seeds when available |
| Climate | Not specifically documented | Lives at some of the highest elevations of any primate, enduring snow and sub-zero temperatures |
| Threats | Hunting and clearing of forest for farming and other uses | Habitat loss and fragmentation across mountain forest |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered, with a decreasing population | Endangered, with a decreasing population |
Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey vs Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey: common questions
Why are they called snub-nosed monkeys?
They have flattened, upturned noses with no bridge, which gave the group its name.
Which snub-nosed monkey lives in the cold?
The golden snub-nosed monkey, which lives at some of the highest elevations of any primate and endures snow and sub-zero temperatures.
Where do the Tonkin and golden snub-nosed monkeys live?
The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey lives in limestone forest in northern Vietnam, while the golden snub-nosed monkey lives in mountain forest in central China.