Howler Monkeys
Alouatta
Howler monkeys are robust New World monkeys of Central and South America, best known for producing the loudest call of any land animal.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Atelidae
Other Names
Howler
Size
22–36 inches long; 7–22 lbs.
Description
A robust, stocky build, a prehensile tail, and an enlarged hyoid bone in the throat that resonates their calls.
Behavior
Spends much of the day resting, since its leaf-heavy diet provides relatively little energy.
Diet
Primarily leaves, supplemented with fruit and flowers.
Communication
A dawn and dusk roaring chorus audible up to three miles away, used to mark territory.
Habitat
Forests across Central and South America.
Life Cycle & Society
- Gestation
- ~186 days
- Sexually Mature
- 3–5 years
- Life Span
- 15–20 years
- Athleticism
- Slow, deliberate movers
- Conservation Status
- Several species Endangered
Howler troops of 6–15 defend a territory almost entirely through sound rather than confrontation. Habitat loss and periodic yellow fever outbreaks have made several species a conservation priority.
Selected Species
Mantled Howler
Alouatta palliataBlack Howler
Alouatta carayaRed Howler
Alouatta seniculusBrown Howler
Alouatta guariba
