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It's brass monkeys out there - but these playful primates don't seem to mind their snowy surroundings.

Proving they really are similar to us humans, the youngest of the Japanese macaques are pictured happily embracing the extreme weather with a snowball fight, while the older primates opt for a relaxing dip in the hot springs.

The intimate images capture the creatures, nicknamed snow monkeys, socially interacting and playing up to the cameras while pulling some incredibly human-like expressions.

One baby monkey can be seen hopping onto the back of another in order to get a better view of the camera, while another is seen crouching down in the snow face-to-face with a photographer.

In other remarkable images a Japanese macaque is pictured breaking dramatically through the surface of the water shaking its head.

Photographer, Keren Su, captured the extraordinary scenes during an expedition in Nagano, Japan.

Keren, from Redmond, Washington, endured temperatures of -15 degrees Celsius in a bid to get the delightful shots and admitted he loved every minute of the experience despite the chilly conditions.

(Image: Keren Su / Caters)

He said: "As soon as the snowflakes started to fall the older monkeys headed to the hot springs and this was a highlight for me.

"Dozens of photographers were waiting around the hot spring with their tripods set up.

"I didn't use a tripod though, I rarely do when photographing animals because I like being able to catch their movements.

"Without a tripod I could be more flexible and move more quickly to catch them in their excited movements.

"The baby monkeys wouldn't stay in the hot water for a long time. They liked to chase and wrestle each other, especially without adult supervision.

"I followed them to their favourite playground and found the best possible spot to watch them, setting them against a nice snowy background.

"It was great to watch how they played around. I just enjoyed hearing the click of the shutter button.

(Image: Keren Su / Caters)

"I found this place about 20 years ago. When I first started photographing snow monkeys there werent as many photographers there as there are now.

"I love that place in the winter time.The tranquillity of the isolated snow covered valley is nearly unreachable with a forty-minute walk over the blistering cold snow but it is a beauty beyond words.

"I spent more time watching the monkeys than actually taking pictures of them and I eventually learned their behaviour well enough to anticipate what they would do.

"For instance when I saw them diving into the water I prepared immediately for them to surface and shake their heads just as they had many times before.

"It was great fun watching and observing these fascinating animals.

"I love winter, it's my favourite season. It's a very romantic and poetic time to photograph animals. I love taking pictures in the snow just for the thrill of it."