RedHowlerMonkey | Blog 1

                                      Red

                                            HOWLER 

                                                                                           Monkey

       Taxonomy                                                                                   Common Names                                                                                                                                              

• Suborder: Haplorhini.                                                       -   Red Howler Monkey.                           
• Infraorder: Simiiformes.                                                  -   Venezuelan Red Howler.   
• Superfamily: Ateloidea.                                                    -  Guiana Howler.  
• Family: Atelidae.                                                               -  Brazilian Red Howler.
  
• Genus: Alouatta.
• Species: Alouatta seniculus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Key Morphological Traits:

• Coloration: Red Howler Monkeys have reddish-brown/orange-red fur in males and are typically more brown for females. Providing some camouflage in the forest canopies. Majority of the body are these colors but hands and feet can be darker and the chest/belly area can be lighter 
• Tail: They possess a prehensile tail, capable of grasping and holding onto branches, which plays a part in their locomotion, behavior, and life ways.
• Face and Throat: These monkeys have a large, hairless face with a pronounced throat sac, used for amplifying their howls. Their thick neck and throat area help them produce their loud calls.
• Teeth: They have large, molar teeth for crushing plant material, which is their primary diet.

Size:

• Males: Can reach up to 50–60 cm in body length (not including the tail) and weigh between 7–10 kg.
• Females: Typically smaller, weighing around 5–7 kg, and have slightly shorter body lengths than males.
• Tail Length: Their tail can reach up to 70 cm in length, which adds to their overall size and agility in trees

Specific Physical Adaptations:

• Prehensile Tail: The tail can grasp and manipulate branches, aiding in mobility and stability within the trees.
• Large Throat Sac: The enlarged throat sac helps amplify their howls, which can be heard over long distances, helping them communicate in the dense forest.

Life history 

Lifespan: In the wild, Red Howler Monkeys typically live to around 15–20 years. In captivity, they may live slightly longer.

Gestation Period: The gestation period lasts about 180–190 days (approximately 6 months), after which the female gives birth to a single infant.

Weaning Age: Infants are usually weaned from their mothers breast milk around 1 year but they do  remain dependent on their mothers for a longer period while learning the ropes of life in the canopy.

Stages of Development:

• Infant 0–1 year Altricial At birth and through infancy, they rely heavily on their mother for nourishment and protection. At about 4–5 months they begin to explore their environment 
• Juvenile 1–3 years  Juvenille howlers become more independent, but they remain with the group and learn from the adults.
• Subadult 3–5 years During this stage, they start to develop adult traits and behaviors. Their vocalizations become louder and a lot more distinctive.
• Adult 5+ years At sexual maturity, males develop their throat sac and begin using their calls for communication and territorial displays. Males and females both take on adult roles in the troop.

Conservation Status 

Geographic Range: Red Howler Monkeys are found in the tropical rainforests of northern South America, including parts of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, and French Guiana.

Population: The population of Red Howler Monkeys is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. Their populations vary across different regions, with some areas seeing greater decline than others due to habitat destruction

IUCN Red List: Least Concern: Despite being classified as "Least Concern," their populations face local threats from habitat loss due to things like deforestation, hunting, and the effects of human agriculture. The destruction of their rainforest habitat is the primary concern, as it limits their food sources and living space.

Ongoing Conservation Threats:

• Deforestation: Logging and agricultural expansion are rapidly destroying  their habitats.
• Hunting: In some areas, hunting poses a threat to their population.
• Climate Change: Increase in temperature and the variation of rainfall patterns may alter the structure of their forest habitat, which would negatively affect their food resources.