Habitat and distribution
This monkey has uniformly black fur in males, while females and young display light brown or golden fur. Its robust body is accompanied by a powerful prehensile tail, often used as a fifth limb to cling to branches and move with ease through the canopy. Its face is dark and surrounded by longer hairs forming a kind of ruff.
Size and weight
The Black Howler measures between 50 and 70 cm, with a tail that can reach the same length. Males weigh on average 7 to 9 kg, while females are smaller, weighing approximately 5 to 6 kg.
Habitat and distribution
It inhabits dense tropical forests and wetlands of Central and South America, notably in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. This monkey lives in social groups composed of 5 to 20 individuals, led by a dominant male.
Diet
The Black Howler is primarily folivorous, feeding on leaves, but also consumes fruits, flowers and seeds. Its fiber-rich diet allows it to live in habitats where fruits are rare.
Behavior and reproduction
This primate is famous for its powerful calls, emitted through its enlarged hyoid bone which amplifies the sound. These vocalizations, audible up to 5 km away, serve to delimit territory and communicate with other groups.
