Mysterious snub-nosed “sneezing” monkeys caught on camera in China

A mysterious species of snub-nosed monkey – prone to sneezing loudly when it rains – has been caught on film in China, researchers reported to MSNBC Thursday. 

The black snub-nosed monkeys have only been known to science since October 2010, and were first photographed in March of this year, as reported in the GlobalPost. They were recently believed to live only in the Kachin region of Myanmar.

GlobalPost: New species list draws attention to biosphere diversity

Now, the curious primates have been caught on film in China, proving that the animals may have a wider range than was previously believed. The animals were found to be living in Yunnan's Lushui County, in a forest near Pianma, says MSNBC. 

MSNBC reports that the animals are called "mey nwoah" in China, which translates into "monkey with an upturned face."

The snub-nosed monkeys mysterious sneezing behavior is said to derive from their upturned faces, which put them at a distinct disadvantage when it rains.  To avoid rainwater, the animals are said to sit with their faces between their legs when it rains, claims Arizona State University's International Center for Species Exploration.