Purus red howler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purus red howler |
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| Male, Tambopata Park, Peru | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Alouatta
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| Species: |
puruensis
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| Subspecies | |
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9 subspecies, see text |
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| Purus red howler range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Alouatta seniculus puruensis |
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The Purús red howler (Alouatta puruensis) is a type of howler monkey. These monkeys are famous for their very loud calls. They live in the rainforests of Brazil, Peru, and northern Bolivia. They are called "red howlers" because of their reddish-brown fur.
Howler monkeys are among the largest monkeys in the New World. They spend most of their lives in trees. They use their strong prehensile tails like a fifth limb to hold onto branches.
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What is a Howler Monkey?
Howler monkeys belong to the genus Alouatta. They are known for their unique ability to make very loud calls. These calls can travel for several kilometers through the dense forest. They use these calls to mark their territory. They also use them to communicate with other howler groups.
Their loud voice comes from a special bone in their throat. This bone is called the hyoid bone. It is very large and hollow. It acts like a sound box, making their howls even louder. Howler monkeys are mostly active during the day. They spend a lot of time resting and digesting their food.
Where Purús Red Howlers Live
The Purús red howler lives in the Amazon rainforest. This area includes parts of Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. They prefer living in tall, dense forests. These forests provide them with plenty of food and shelter. They are often found near rivers, like the Purús River, which gives them their name.
Their habitat is warm and humid all year round. The rainforest offers many different types of trees. These trees are important for their diet and safety. They move slowly and carefully through the treetops. This helps them save energy.
What Purús Red Howlers Eat
Purús red howlers are mainly herbivores. Their diet mostly consists of leaves. They also eat fruits, flowers, and buds. They are very important for the forest ecosystem. They help spread seeds from the fruits they eat.
Eating a lot of leaves means they need a special digestive system. Leaves are hard to digest. Howler monkeys have a large stomach. This stomach helps them break down tough plant material. They spend many hours resting. This resting time helps them digest their leafy meals.
Subspecies
The Purús red howler has several different subspecies. These are like different types within the same species. They might have slight differences in their looks or where they live. Scientists study these differences to understand how animals evolve.
The subspecies include:
- A. p. amazonica
- A. p. arctoidea
- A. p. insulanus
- A. p. juara
- A. p. macconnelli
- A. p. puruensis
- A. p. sara
- A. p. seniculus
- A. p. stramineus
Conservation Status
The Purús red howler is listed as "Vulnerable" (VU) by the IUCN. This means their population is decreasing. They face threats like deforestation. Deforestation is when forests are cut down. This destroys their homes.
Conservation efforts are important to protect these monkeys. Protecting their rainforest habitat helps them survive. It also helps many other animals and plants that live there. Learning about these animals helps people understand why conservation matters.
Images for kids
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Female, Tambopata Park, Peru
See also
In Spanish: Mono aullador rojo de Juruá para niños
