Black howler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black howler |
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| Male | |
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| Female Both photographed at Pittsburgh Zoo |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Alouatta
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| Species: |
caraya
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| Black Howler range | |
The black howler (Alouatta caraya) or black-and-gold howler, is a species of monkey found in Paraguay, southern Brazil, eastern Bolivia, northern Argentina, and Uruguay. Adult males have entirely black fur and adult females and babies of both sexes have an overall golden colouring, hence the name. The IUCN Red List has classed the black howler as Near Threatened as a result of a recent population reduction due to a variety of human-caused factors.
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Taxonomy
The black howler is one of nine species of the Alouatta genus that have been identified and is in the Atelidae family.
- Alouatta caraya
- Alouatta pigra
- Alouatta seniculus
- Alouatta arctoidea
- Alouatta sara
- Alouatta macconnelli
- Alouatta guariba
- Alouatta belzebul
- Alouatta palliata
Description
In black howlers, the male and the female are distinguishable due to the difference in their fur coatings. As the male black howler grows older, his fur will change from a golden colour to a complete black fur coat. The female, as well as infants of both sexes, have fur of a golden tone. Female howlers are lighter in weight than males, who are 47% heavier. Males' weight ranges from 6 kg to 7.7 kg. They have prehensile tails with a bare patch of skin on the underside, making them versatile climbers and allowing them to comfortably stay around in the canopy of trees.
Behavior and diet
Black howlers are recognized for their 'howl', a powerful vocalization. Howling is used for displaying territory and regulating inter-group distance. This species rarely come down to the ground.
Although the diet of the black howler is largely folivorous, it does not prevents the digestion of fruits, figs, mosses, bark, seeds, and flowers.
Group composition
Usually, howler monkeys have a single dominant male, with multiple adult females and babies in smaller groups. In larger groups, the howler monkeys' group composition can vary. In a 2009 study by Lucas M. Aguiar, Gabriela Ludwig, and Fernando C. Passos, in the Upper Paraná River of southern Brazil, the black and gold howler groups size was around 6 to 18 individuals. There were 11 groups total in Paraná River and groups were all multi-male; the females were outnumbered.
Distribution and habitat
The black howler is found in areas of Central and South America such as Paraguay, southern Brazil, eastern Bolivia, northern Argentina, and occasionally, Uruguay. Howler monkeys are adaptable to numerous forest environments in Central and South America. They have been spotted in tropical and subtropical forests. They may survive in a variety of settings, including disturbed ecosystems and forest remnants in agricultural regions and human populations.
Status and conservation
From the IUCN Red List, the black howler is seen as a Near Threatened species. This is a result to population declines, habitat degradation, hunting pressure, and disease outbreak vulnerability. Hunting and the illegal pet trade are also contributing factors to the black howler's population reduction.
Black howlers are also susceptible to disease such as yellow fever. In Brazil, there have been outbreaks of sylvatic yellow fever that have resulted in significant population declines.
Interesting facts about black howlers
- The black howler is among the largest New World monkeys.
- A howler's 'howl' is one of the primates' strongest vocalizations, and it may be heard up to two kilometers away.
- They are also one of the least active groups of primates, spending up to 60-70% of the day resting or sleeping.
- Howlers have developed a complicated digestive system that allows them to digest leaves quickly and have strong molar teeth to help chew mature leaves.
- The hyoid bone volume of male black howlers is larger than that of female black howlers; it is assumed that this bone serves as a chamber for their howls.
See also
In Spanish: Mono carayá negro para niños
