The black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) is known as “baboon” in Creole or “saraguate” in Spanish. They are found in Belize, southern Mexico, and Guatemala but their population is dwindling. They are named howler for their ferocious voice which marks their territory up to a mile away.

Range of territory (3-25) acres, depends on troop size and availability of food. Howlers often begin and end their day with roaring which helps space the troops out. The low grunts become loud protracted roars creating one of the most memorable sounds of the forest.

Males have a unique throat structure and tracheal cartilages that act as a resonating chamber, amplifying their call. Local beliefs predict roaring occurs before it rains and when other animals are feeding but howlers are heard at all hours of the night. The noise is so loud it is like “Jurassic Park.”

Black howlers weigh 15 to 20 lbs (6-7 kg) and are entirely black, except for infants which are brown. They live in troops of 4 to 8 members usually consisting of an adult male and females with their young. The entire troop feeds, travels, and sleeps together. The troop we saw this morning had 8 members. The females reach adulthood and can reproduce between 4-5 years of age and males mature at 6-8 years. They are vegetarians eating flowers, leaves, and fruits. They eat more leaves than any other monkey in the Americas. Mature leaves of some trees have a high concentration of toxins so howlers choose the new leaves or tips. New leaves also have a higher amount of protein and less indigestible cellulose.

Feeding at the slender tips of branches, howlers depend on their prehensile tails as an extra hand to hold on. They are known to rest up to 70% of they day, only traveling about 200-1,200 feet, in addition to sleeping at night. It is always exciting to see them. Watch the howler monkey eating in the video clip above.

Awesome sea creatures of the greatest reef on Earth.

Come dive with us and explore Belize barrier reef

Play the video clip to see

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LOOK at these toucans outside our back door

View a rare spider monkey encounter. This video was taken today july-2008.

This is the closest encounter we have had with the monkies in 4 years. They were at our back door here in the rainforest reserve at spanish creek. Dont miss this amazing opportunity to come study with us in the Belizean Jungle.

Play the clip below to see the monkies.

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take a look at the rare Moralet Crocodile on the spanish creek.  Vist us in Belize

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Free Dive through a Cave on The Barrier Reef

Voting for the new 7 natural wonders of the world is going on and the Belize Barrier Reef and the Great Blue Hole should rank at no. 1 and 2 respectively. The website is up so just go vote! And don’t forget to spread the word!!!

To vote, Click the following URL address. www.new7naturalwonders.com