Yucatán Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra) lives in tropical rainforest across Southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala. Its conservation status is Endangered.
Fascinating facts about the Yucatán Black Howler Monkey
- The Yucatán black howler stands out as the biggest member of its genus and ranks among the largest New World monkeys. Males tip the scale at an average of 11.4 kg, outweighing any other Central American monkey, while females average 6.4 kg. Their bodies measure between 521 mm and 639 mm, not counting the prehensile tail which adds another 590 mm to 690 mm of length, giving them a strikingly robust appearance.
- Male Yucatán black howlers possess an enlarged hyoid bone that amplifies their calls, allowing them to locate other males without expending much energy, which is important because their leaf-based diet provides little energy. The species typically vocalises at dawn and again at dusk.
- In the Community Baboon Sanctuary of Belize, Yucatán black howlers can reach densities exceeding 250 individuals per square kilometre, illustrating how the protected forest supports large populations. Their home ranges vary from 3 to 25 hectares, allowing groups to occupy extensive arboreal territories. Belize law reinforces this protection by prohibiting the hunting of the species, aiming to curb one of the key threats to its survival.
- When the seasonal fruiting of the breadnut tree peaks, the Yucatán black howler can obtain up to 86% of its nutritional intake from that single source, making the tree a dominant food item for weeks at a time. Outside of these periods the monkey still relies mainly on a folivorous diet, eating mostly leaves and supplementing with fruit. Flowers also form a minor part of the diet, providing occasional extra nutrients during leaner months.
- Typical Yucatán black howler groups consist of two to ten individuals, but field studies have documented gatherings of up to sixteen monkeys sharing the same canopy. These larger assemblies are still confined within a home range that can vary widely, spanning from three to twenty-five hectares depending on habitat quality. Such flexible group sizes allow the species to adjust social structure while maintaining access to sufficient feeding territory.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSouthern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala
HabitatTropical rainforest
DietLeaves and fruits
About the Yucatán Black Howler Monkey
In the tangled canopy of the Yucatan rainforest, the black howler monkey announces the dawn with a roar that shakes the leaves. Known locally as the baboon, this stocky primate moves with deliberate calm through the upper branches, its jet-black fur absorbing the dappled light. It is the largest primate in the Americas north of the Amazon and among the loudest animals on the planet.
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