# Black-and-gold Howler Monkey (*Alouatta caraya*) The Black-and-gold Howler Monkey is a fun monkey known for its loud calls! They live in trees and love to swing from branch to branch in the forests of South America. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Black Howler Monkey, Golden Howler Monkey ![Black-and-gold Howler Monkey](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Alouatta_caraya_lactant_female.JPG&width=800) Photo: Miguelrangeljr, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alouatta_caraya_lactant_female.JPG) ## Appearance The Black-and-gold Howler Monkey is named for its striking fur, with adult males being entirely glossy black and females a vivid yellowish-gold or tan. Both sexes possess a distinctive black face, but the dramatic color difference makes them easily distinguishable. Males are generally larger than females. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Primates - **Family:** Atelidae - **Genus:** Alouatta ## Interesting facts - Howler monkeys are among the most common monkeys in the Pantanal wetlands. - Their epic morning howls help warn rival monkey groups away. - They spend most of their day resting, saving energy for digestion. - Unlike most monkeys, adult males are completely black, females are gold! ## Special abilities - **Voice Amplifier:** Black-and-gold Howler Monkeys can create booming calls because of a specialized enlarged throat sac and hyoid bone that amplify sound. - **Gripping Tail:** Black-and-gold Howler Monkeys have a strong prehensile tail that helps them grip branches like a fifth limb while climbing and feeding. - **Leaf Digester:** Black-and-gold Howler Monkeys can thrive on a diet of tough leaves because of a specialized digestive system that breaks down plant fibers. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 40-70 cm - **Weight:** 3-9 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 15 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 180-190 days ## Diet & Feeding They mostly eat leaves, with some fruits and flowers to keep them healthy and strong. - **Primary Foods:** Leaves, Fruits, Flowers, Tree buds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Jaguar](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jaguar) (*Panthera onca*) — Adults and juveniles can be prey for large cats. - **Eaten by:** [Harpy Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harpy-eagle) (*Harpia harpyja*) — Young monkeys are prey for this powerful raptor. - **Eats:** Rubber Fig (*Ficus insipida*) — Feeds on leaves and fruits of various fig species. - **Eats:** Trumpet Tree (*Cecropia pachystachya*) — Commonly consumes the leaves of this fast-growing tree. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch howler monkeys from a distance, as they are wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-and-gold Howler Monkey? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black-and-gold Howler Monkey? 40-70 cm ### How much does Black-and-gold Howler Monkey weigh? 3-9 kg ### How long does Black-and-gold Howler Monkey live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Black-and-gold Howler Monkey move? 15 km/h ### What does Black-and-gold Howler Monkey eat? They mostly eat leaves, with some fruits and flowers to keep them healthy and strong. ### Where is Black-and-gold Howler Monkey usually found? Forests ### How does Black-and-gold Howler Monkey hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Alexandria Zoological Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alexandria-zoological-park) — Louisiana, US · Zoo - [Buffalo Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/buffalo-zoo) — New York, US · Zoo - [Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesker-park-zoo-and-botanic-garden) — Indiana, US · Zoo - [Tulsa Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tulsa-zoo) — Oklahoma, US · Zoo - [Caldwell Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/caldwell-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Los Angeles Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/los-angeles-zoo) — California, US · Zoo [View all places to see Black-and-gold Howler Monkey](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-and-gold-howler-monkey) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Black-and-gold Howler Monkey Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-and-gold-howler-monkey)