The most enviable photos of monkeys relaxing in hot springs

It's hard out there for a primate

Lauren Hansen's avatar
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Spa monkeys
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Issei Kato))

Japan's macaque monkeys are known for two things, their intelligence and their unique choice of locale. The so-called "snow monkeys" are the only non-human primates to live in the wilds of the island country's cold north.

But they've figured out an impressive and enviable way to survive such frigid temperatures — by bathing together in local hot springs. Here are some of the best, most "ahhhh"-inducing photos of monkeys having a spa day and snippets of what I imagine their conversations are like.

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Lauren Hansen
Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.