Here's a breakdown of their food sources:
Year-round:
* Fruits: They love fruits like apples, peaches, pears, and persimmons, especially when in season.
* Leaves: They eat leaves from various trees and shrubs, including maples, oaks, and chestnuts.
* Grasses and Herbs: They supplement their diet with grasses, roots, and various herbs.
Winter:
* Bark and Twigs: When food is scarce during winter, they resort to eating bark and twigs for sustenance.
* Buds and Shoots: They search for buds and shoots on trees, providing them with some essential nutrients.
* Insects and Small Animals: They occasionally catch insects, frogs, or small animals for additional protein.
Human Assistance:
* Food provided by humans: In areas where they interact with humans, Japanese snow monkeys may receive supplemental food like sweet potatoes and other vegetables.
Their diet is largely driven by the availability of food, and they are highly adaptable to changing conditions. This helps them survive even in harsh winter environments, making them truly fascinating creatures.