Black Howler Monkey

Description

The Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra) is a large primate with a distinctive black coat and a prehensile tail. Native to the forests of Belize, these monkeys are known for their deep howling vocalizations and arboreal lifestyle.

Interesting Facts

• Scientific Name: Alouatta pigra
• Habitat: Inhabits the forests of Belize, showcasing adaptability to various ecosystems.
• Diet: Primarily folivorous, consuming leaves, fruits, and flowers; important seed dispersers.
• Behavior: Arboreal in nature, using prehensile tails for balance; live in social groups and play a vital role in maintaining rainforest biodiversity.

Fun Facts

• Male howlers have a enlarge hyoid bone which amplifies their voices; males have much larger throat pouches than females
• A portion of their tail near the tip has no fur, and has thicker skin to help with grasping
• Unlike Spider Monkeys, howlers tend to move on all fours, using both their hands and feet, and often their tails
• Howler Monkeys each have unique hand, foot, and tail prints; they’re like a human fingerprint!

Belize Zoo Trivia

Male howlers howl to establish territory and to respond to threats; they do not howl just to say hello! Due to this, teasing and “howling” at our howlers is not permitted, as it causes them severe stress.

Conservation Efforts

The Community Baboon Sanctuary is a grassroots, community based conservation program in the Belize River Valley. Residents of the 7 communities in this area pledged to protect a section of their lands that near the Belize River in 1985 in order to promote population recovery of Belize’s howler monkeys. CBS is now a world renowned success story, boasting a population of over 3,500 howlers.

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