Kamikochi: Climate change is impacting the winter foraging behavior of wild snow monkeys in Japan, a new study revealed on Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the research involving the University of Tsukuba and Shinshu University focused on snow monkeys living in mountainous areas around Kamikochi, Nagano prefecture. The study analyzed DNA samples from the feces of Japanese macaques to understand changes in their diet.

The researchers, who carried out their study from 2022 to 2024, found that the monkeys, regardless of their age or sex, feed on insects from rivers in the winter. This behavior is critical when food resources are limited.

The study found a significant decline in the number of species of aquatic insects found in the monkeys’ feces in February last year. This decline coincided with average daytime temperatures rising above zero degrees centigrade.

Aquatic insects serve as a vital nutritional resource for the snow monkeys during periods of food scarcity. The study suggests that the inability to access rivers due to upstream snowmelts and rising water levels, both consequences of higher temperatures, may be responsible for this dietary change.

The data indicated that even minor temperature fluctuations could alter the environment and affect animal behavior, explained Takenaka Masaki, a researcher from the University of Tsukuba. He noted that more frequent and localized temperature increases caused by climate change might further influence the winter feeding habits of snow monkeys.