Black howler monkey

Alouatta caraya

A large South American howler monkey. Males are black, females are pale buff, and deep roars carry far through forest.

Key facts

Black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) is a herbivore animal classified as Mammal · Primates · Atelidae.
Primary habitats are forest · savanna, with a range across Neotropical.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is social, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
A large South American howler monkey.
Black howlers inhabit riparian forest, swamp forest, dry forest, and wooded savanna patches.

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Black howlers inhabit riparian forest, swamp forest, dry forest, and wooded savanna patches. Connected canopy supports movement and feeding.

Sexual dimorphism is strong: males are black, while females and young are yellowish to buff. A prehensile tail supports movement through branches.

They are diurnal, arboreal, and live in small groups. Loud morning and evening calls help space neighboring groups.

Leaves dominate the diet, with fruit, flowers, and young shoots added seasonally. A leaf-heavy diet leads to long rest periods and slow movement.

Females bear single infants that cling to the belly or back. Group members may remain nearby while infants develop.

The roar is amplified by specialized throat anatomy, allowing long-distance communication in dense forest.