Black and Gold Howler Monkey

Black and Gold Howler Monkeys grow to about 2 feet long, not including the tail, and have long, soft fur. Females are typically gold, while adult males are black, making them a great example of sexual dimorphism, when males and females of the same species look different. Males are also much larger than females and weigh about 15 pounds on average, roughly twice as much as the females. Their long prehensile tails help them grip branches while climbing and feeding. These monkeys are also built to be heard. A specially adapted hyoid bone in the throat helps produce their famous deep, powerful howls.

Black and Gold Howler Monkeys live in tropical and subtropical forests and other wooded areas. They are found in central South America, including countries such as Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia.

Black and Gold Howler Monkeys are herbivores and mostly feed on leaves, fruits, buds, and flowers.

These monkeys live in troops, or social groups, that share space and resources together. They communicate using a variety of calls, some of which can travel for miles through the forest canopy. Black and Gold Howler Monkeys breed year- round and usually give birth to one offspring at a time after a gestation period of about 187 days. They live about 15 years on average in the wild and can live up to 20 years in human care. The oldest known individual in human care lived to 32 years old right here at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo.

Black and Gold Howler Monkeys are best known for their deep, booming calls, which can travel for miles through the forest. These vocalizations help troops communicate across long distances and establish their presence in the canopy, especially at the beginning and end of the day.

Threatened