One of the most iconic—and loudest—primates in South America. With its deep reddish-orange fur, shaggy beard, and booming voice, this monkey stands out in both appearance and sound. Found in the forests of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and parts of Peru and Bolivia, the red howler is best known for its earth-shaking howls that can be heard from up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) away! If the forest had a morning alarm clock, this monkey would be it.

What truly sets the red howler apart from other monkeys is its incredible voice box. These howlers have a huge hyoid bone in their throat, which acts like a natural amplifier. Males, in particular, use their powerful vocalizations to defend territory, attract mates, and warn rival groups to stay away—without having to engage in physical fights. These calls usually echo at dawn and dusk and can sound eerily like roaring wind or distant thunder. It’s a spooky but amazing sound that defines the rhythm of the rainforest.

Physically, the Colombian red howler is medium-to-large in size, with strong limbs and a prehensile tail—a fifth limb that helps them grip branches and move smoothly through the trees. They spend most of their lives in the canopy, rarely coming down to the ground. Their reddish fur gives them great camouflage in the sun-dappled forest, especially during sunrise and sunset when the light turns golden.

Unlike some monkeys that are constantly bouncing around or chattering, red howlers are relatively chill. They’re leaf eaters, relying mostly on a diet of leaves, flowers, and fruits. Because leaves don’t provide a ton of energy, they spend much of the day resting or slowly moving between trees.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Brazil

2021

Amazonas

Colombia

2021

Ecuador

2021

Peru

2021

Trinidad & Tobago

2021

Venezuela

2021