Black Howler Monkey

Alouatta caraya

Animal Class: Mammal

Length: 20-26 inches with a 24-26 inch tail

Weight: Males weigh around 32 pounds and females weigh around 16 pounds.

Lifespan: 15-20 years

Diet: Leaves, fruit, seeds, bark, and flowers.

Habitat: All kinds of forests throughout central South America.

Description: Also known as a black-and-gold howler, this species of New World monkey is named for its booming howl, which can be heard for up to 2 miles away. Like other New World monkeys, howlers have long limbs and prehensile tails.

Black howler males and females look distinctly different, and black howler young are gold like their mothers at birth, and the males turn black over months.

Howler monkeys are social and usually live in groups with a single dominant male, although some groups are larger and have multiple males. Black howler monkeys are arboreal, but unlike other primates, they spend most of their day resting or sleeping.

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Our Animals: Hazel and Carlito