Howler Monkey Profile
Howler Monkeys are one of the largest monkeys in the New World, along with being one of the loudest animals in the world. All belong to the genus Alouatta.
There are 15 species of howler monkey, and all are found in forests across Central and South America.
Howler Monkey Facts Overview
| Habitat: | Cloud forests, rainforests, and tropical dry forests |
| Location: | Central and South America |
| Lifespan: | 5-20 years |
| Size: | 56-92 cm in height (excluding their tails) |
| Weight: | 4-8kg |
| Color: | Various shades of black, brown, and grey |
| Diet: | Herbivores, so eat leaves, fruits, nuts and flowers |
| Predators: | Big cats (jaguars, pumas etc), snakes and birds |
| Top Speed: | 18 miles per hour |
| No. of Species: |
15 |
| Conservation Status: |
Varies, some are endangered |
They are social, living in groups ranging with as many as 20 members. They move as a group, searching for the best leaves and fruits to eat. They live in the canopies of forests, high above the ground.
They are well known for their “howl” which is a long haunting call which can be heard clearly from 5km away.
Interesting Howler Monkey Facts
1. Their name comes from the howl-like sound they make
This sound is low, guttural and quite scary when heard in the rainforest.
2. They are widely considered as one of the loudest land mammals
Their call can be heard echoing throughout the forest from as far away as 5km (3 miles). 1
3. They have a special bone in their throat which amplifies their calls
This is called the hyoid bone which helps them make their calls especially loud.
4. Only male howler monkeys “howl”
Females never make these loud calls.
5. Their howl declares their territory
Males most likely make this loud call to ward off potential competitors. Howler monkeys are very territorial, so they don’t want anyone else coming into their patch.
6. They have prehensile tails
This means their tail can essentially act like another hand. It can help them hang from branches or grab fruit from trees. The tail of a howler monkey can support its entire body weight.
7. Their tails have tactile pads
This allows them to feel with their tails in the same way they do with their hands.
8. Their tails can be up to 5 times the length of their body
Their strong prehensile tails can be very long, in some cases 5 times the length of their body.
9. They can smell ripe fruit from 2km away
They have highly sensitive noses that are adapted for them to be able to find ripe fruit.
10. They are the only monkeys in the New World that primarily eat leaves
They spend most of their time in the top canopy of the forest, where they eat leaves, fruits, flowers, and nuts.
11. Guatemalan howler monkeys are one of the biggest in the New World
Howler monkeys are some of the biggest monkeys in the New World, and the Guatemalan howler monkey is the biggest of all.
12. 9 of the 15 species live in the Amazon
Howler monkeys are an iconic feature of the Amazon rainforest, where they live high up in the canopy and their calls can be heard most mornings.
13. Mayan culture viewed them as gods
The Mayans often depicted howler monkeys as gods in sculptures and they featured in various myths.
14. Many species of howler monkey are endangered
This is primarily due to habitat loss, especially in areas of tropical forest. However, they are also threatened due to hunting. 2
Howler Monkey Fact-File Summary
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Cetacea |
| Infraorder: | Haplorhini |
| Family: | Atelidae |
| Subfamily: |
Alouattinae |
| Genus: |
Alouatta |
| Species: |
Alouatta belzebul |
Fact Sources & References
- Castagnino R. How loud are howler monkeys? Candid Animal Cam is in the trees this week. Mongabay. Published September 29, 2020. Accessed June 2, 2021
- Rainforest Alliance. Species Profile: Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra) | Rainforest Alliance. Accessed June 2, 2021