Japanese Macaque
Macaca fuscata

f2.8 @ 1/1250s, ISO:640, Nikon D300S w 17-55mm @ 55mm

\"Japanese Macaque,\" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The Japanese macaque is a very intelligent species. Researchers studying this species at Koshima Island in Japan left sweet potatoes out on the beach for them to eat, then witnessed one female, named Imo (Japanese for yam or potato), washing the food off with river water rather than brushing it off as the others were doing, and later even dipping her clean food into salty sea water. After a while, others started to copy her behavior. This trait was then passed on from generation to generation, until eventually all except the oldest members of the troop were washing their food and even seasoning it in the sea. She was similarly the first observed balling up wheat with air pockets, throwing it into the water, and waiting for it to float back up before picking it up and eating it free from dirt.

Nagano, Japan

02/16/2012