Alouatta caraya (Humboldt, 1812)

Common Names and Taxonomy

The black howler (Alouatta caraya), also called the black-and-gold howler, is one of the largest New World monkeys and a member of the howler monkey genus Alouatta.

Sexual Dimorphism and Fur Coloration

This species exhibits clear sexual dimorphism: adult males have entirely black fur, while adult females and infants of both sexes have an overall golden colouring, which explains the alternative common name black-and-gold howler.

Conservation Status

The IUCN Red List classifies the black howler as Near Threatened, due to recent population reduction caused by a range of human-induced factors.

Geographic Distribution

Black howlers are distributed across South America, including Paraguay, southern Brazil, eastern Bolivia, northern Argentina, and occasionally Uruguay. Some sources note their potential presence extending into Central America.

Native Forest Habitats

They are highly adaptable to many different forest habitats across their range, including tropical and subtropical forests: evergreen, seasonally dry deciduous, semideciduous, gallery, montane, woodland, and flooded forests.

Altered Habitat Tolerance

They are able to survive in altered landscapes, including disturbed ecosystems, small forest fragments within agricultural areas, and regions with established human settlements.