you all know the japanese snow monkey which bath in hotsprings. how can they actually leave the hotspring without freezing? when they leave the water, the fur is soaked and they should get problems with their body temperature.
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Interestingly enough, snow monkeys have two layers of fur. The inner fur has a lot more oil in it and is water resistant. The outer fur isn’t, however, and gets wet, but dries quickly due to hard shaking.
I think you underestimate the mammalian body’s ability to cope with mild cold (freezing) temperatures. Besides the oils that inhibit the water absorption deep into the fur, we have a lot of body mass, which is continuously producing heat, and an effective circulatory system that distributes it. Because of the temperature difference between body and air, the heat quickly drives the moisture from your skin/fur into the cool dry air, which readily absorbs it. You dry much faster on a cold dry day than on a hot humid one.
Try taking a dip in a hot tub when it’s around freezing out, then get out and don’t towel off. You’ll see it in action. You will dry very quickly and besides a slight discomfort you won’t get seriously cold for a while.
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In addition to what everyone is saying above, they stay in the hot spring all day, as long as there is light. Then, at night fall, they go far up in the trees, for protection, and survive the night by sleeping huddled up and spooning in groups of 3 or more.
Being alone, even for a few hours, would mean certain death for them.
They get out of the water before sunset so they can dry off before it gets colder. They have enough protection from their fur that they end up being OK.
Are we talking about the Japanese macaque, or is there an actual “snow monkey” out there?
I do know that snow monkeys have a hierarchical system and some are not permitted into the water. They sit on the banks and try to stay warm
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They have a strict hierarchy and the highest caste gets access to the best hot springs, and the lowest castes sometimes freeze to death.
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