Types of Howler Monkeys

The Yucatan black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) is native to regions of Belize, Guatemala, and southern Mexico. It inhabits various types of forests, including humid, evergreen, perennial, mixed, deciduous, mangroves, and swamp forests. Remarkably, these monkeys can also adapt to disturbed environments such as eucalyptus plantations, where they feed on fruits and leaves.

Their size can vary depending on the region, but males typically weigh around 7 kg (15 lbs), while females average about 5 kg (11 lbs). Known for their incredibly loud howls, these monkeys have been recorded at up to 140 decibels. Their calls can be heard for miles, helping them defend their territory and communicate with other groups.

Due to rapid deforestation and illegal wildlife trade, the Yucatan black howler monkey is currently classified as Endangered.

This species is native to South America, specifically Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, with some uncertain reports in Uruguay. It can be found in a variety of forest habitats, including deciduous, mixed evergreen, gallery, and xeric forests, as well as forest patches within savanna ecosystems.

Males typically weigh between 6 to nearly 8 kg (13 to 18 lbs), while females range from 4 to 5 kg (9 to 11 lbs). Their diet consists mainly of leaves and fruits, making them folivorous–frugivorous. Like their Yucatán black howler cousins, they are known for their incredibly loud howls, which can be heard for miles.

Their conservation status is currently classified as Near Threatened, primarily due to habitat destruction caused by agriculture and livestock farming, as well as direct hunting for consumption.

The red-handed howler monkey (Alouatta belzebul) is a species endemic to Brazil, primarily found in the eastern Amazon and parts of the Atlantic Forest. It inhabits a range of environments, including lowland rainforests, and can sometimes be seen in forest fragments. The red-handed howler monkey is named for its reddish-brown hands and feet, which stand out against its black fur.

Males of this species typically weigh between 4 and 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lbs), while females are slightly smaller, ranging from 3 to 6 kg (6.6 to 13.2 lbs). Their diet is largely folivorous (leaf-eating) and frugivorous (fruit-eating), playing a vital role in the ecosystem by helping with seed dispersal and forest regeneration.

The primary threats to the red-handed howler monkey include widespread deforestation for hydroelectric projects, road construction, agriculture, and livestock farming, all of which lead to habitat destruction and fragmentation. This puts increased pressure on the species, isolating populations and diminishing genetic diversity. Due to these ongoing threats, Alouatta belzebul is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, meaning it faces a high risk of becoming endangered without effective conservation efforts.

The red howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus) is distributed across several countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, and Venezuela. Its habitat includes a variety of forest types, such as primary lowland forests, deciduous forests, Andean forests, gallery forests, and mangroves. As their name suggests, these monkeys have a vibrant red-brown coat, which sets them apart from other howler monkey species.

This species primarily feeds on leaves, making it one of the South American primates most dependent on foliage, though it also consumes fruits and flowers. Males typically weigh around 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs), while females average about 6.2 kg (13.7 lbs).

Though currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, the red howler monkey faces ongoing threats from deforestation and hunting, particularly due to habitat destruction caused by agriculture, logging, and human expansion.

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The Ursine howler monkey (Alouatta arctoidea) is primarily found in parts of Central America, including countries such as Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. They have a distinctive black coat with a pale brown or gray face and chest.

Males of this species are generally larger, with an average weight of around 6.3 kg (13.9 lbs), while females average about 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs). Their diet primarily consists of leaves, fruits, and flowers. These monkeys are well-adapted to life in the trees, spending most of their time swinging, leaping, and foraging for food.

Although the Ursine howler monkey is classified as Least Concern regarding its conservation status, it faces threats from habitat loss and hunting.

The mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) is native to a range of countries in Central and South America, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It inhabits various types of forests, including evergreen forests, deciduous forests, disturbed forests, and mangroves.

The mantled howler monkey is named for the distinctive black patch on its shoulders, which resembles a mantle. The diet of the mantled howler monkey primarily consists of leaves and fruit, with the exact proportions varying depending on the region. Males typically weigh between 5 and 7 kg (11 to 15.4 lbs), while females weigh between 4 and 6 kg (8.8 to 13.2 lbs).

Despite its broad distribution, the mantled howler monkey faces threats from habitat loss and hunting, particularly for the pet trade. As a result, it is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

The white-bellied howler monkey (Alouatta discolor) is endemic to Brazil, specifically within the regions of the states of Amazonas and Pará. This species is found in various habitats including lowland tropical rainforests, flooded forests, and secondary growth forests. It primarily feeds on leaves and fruits, with a diet that varies based on seasonal availability.

Known for their incredibly loud howls, white-bellied howler monkeys use this vocalization for territorial defense and communication within their troop. Adult males of this species generally weigh between 6 and 8 kg (13.2 to 17.6 lbs), while females weigh between 4.5 and 6 kg (9.9 to 13.2 lbs).

The white-bellied howler monkey is classified as Vulnerable due to ongoing threats such as habitat destruction from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and logging activities.

The brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba) is native to the Atlantic Forest region along the eastern coast of Brazil and extends to the Misiones region in Argentina. This species inhabits a variety of forest types, including lowland rainforests, montane and submontane forests, mesophytic forests, semi-deciduous forests, and seasonal forests. It is also found in some disturbed areas.

Known for its folivorous diet, the brown howler monkey primarily feeds on leaves, though it also consumes fruits and other plant material. Adult males typically weigh between 6.5 and 7.5 kg (14.3 to 16.5 lbs), while females average around 4.0 to 5.0 kg (8.8 to 11.0 lbs).

The species is classified as Vulnerable due to ongoing threats from habitat loss caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human encroachment. Additional threats include predation by domestic dogs and accidents.

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The Juruá red howler monkey (Alouatta juara) is native to Brazil and Peru, with its presence in Colombia and Venezuela being uncertain. This species inhabits a variety of forested environments, including evergreen tropical rainforests, terra firme forests, and seasonally flooded forests. They generally avoid conflict with humans and prefer to live in undisturbed habitats.

As with other howler monkeys, the Juruá red howler primarily feeds on leaves, which are partially fermented in its specialized digestive system. Adult males typically weigh around 7.6 kg (16.8 lbs), while females average about 6 kg (13.2 lbs).

Although the species is classified as Least Concern, it faces significant threats from hunting and deforestation, which are putting pressure on its populations.

The Guianan red howler monkey (Alouatta macconnelli) is native to Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. It inhabits a range of forest types, including primary lowland rainforests, gallery forests, deciduous forests, riparian forests, swamp forests, secondary forests, and savannah forests.

This species has a frugivorous and folivorous diet, meaning it primarily eats fruits and leaves. Adult males typically weigh between 5.2 and 7.1 kg (11.5 to 15.7 lbs), while females weigh between 4.1 and 6 kg (9 to 13.2 lbs).

Although classified as Least Concern, the Guianan red howler monkey faces some threats from hunting and deforestation related to livestock expansion. However, these impacts are not currently significant enough to alter its conservation status.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists fourteen species of howler monkeys. The other four are listed below:

• Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta nigerrima): this species is native to northern Brazil.
  
  
• Bolivian Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta sara): this species is indigenous to Bolivia and Peru.
  
  
• Maranhão Howler Monkey (Alouatta ululata): found specifically in the Maranhão state of Brazil.
  
  
• Purus Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta puruensis): this species inhabits both Brazil and Peru, particularly in the Amazon Basin.

Curious about how different monkey species are faring in the wild? Explore the stories of the most critically endangered monkeys in our other article.

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