Presentation on the theme of the red howler. Howler monkeys. Male howler monkeys have a beard
And you will hear a loud growling sound, do not rush to run away, perhaps it is a howler monkey. This is a small stocky animal, its body length is from 40 to 70 centimeters, and its body weight is only 6-8 kilograms. With such a small size, the roar of a monkey is heard for many kilometers. The most famous species of howler monkeys are the red howler and the Central American howler, the latter having a black coat color.
Howlers for "singing"With these calls, monkeys communicate with their relatives and lure females, so they report their location. The monkey is active during the day, eats plant foods, leaves of trees or fruits. Howler is resting 75%, and the rest of the time looking for food. In the rich forests of South America, finding delicious fruits is not difficult.
Howler monkeys live in groups. They are tree monkeys, which means that they rarely descend to the ground. They live in the upper tier of the forest. The long tail helps the animal very well to move from branch to branch. Nests, as they do not build, prefer to spend the night directly on the "naked" tree.
Red howler monkeys
During the mating season, the female lures the male with dances and displays swollen labia. After a while, a baby is born, it weighs only 500 grams. The cub stays with the mother for up to six months, after which the mother tries to spend less time with him. By the year, the howler is already completely independent.
Scientists have recently made a discovery. They learned that the louder the howler screamed, the smaller his testicles. This is due to the fact that the contribution of resources to the development of a powerful roar and related organs during the growth of the young does not leave energy for the development of large genital organs. On the other hand, it may be that powerful ligaments and a throat are so effective in driving away other males and attracting females that their owners do not need to acquire large testicles.
The red howler belongs to the primates of South America. The red howler received its specific name for the deafening morning cry, which spreads at a speed of one to two kilometers per hour.
External signs of a red howler
Males of the red howler monkey have a body length of 49-72 centimeters, weight - 5.2 - 7.0 kilograms, females are 46-57 cm long and weigh 4.1 - 5.0 kg. The tail is long - 51-73 cm, on the underside it is a third naked, it performs a grasping function.
The color of the coat is red-brown or reddish-brown. The fur is long and soft, like silk. The neck is thick. The muzzle is devoid of hair, but with a coat along the edges. The tip of the nose is raised. The lower jaw protrudes forward, adapted for grinding coarse plant foods.
Developed jaws, enlarged larynx and sublingual apparatus contribute to the work of the resonator. Enlarged and highly specialized vocal cords allow the red howler monkey to produce loud howls, grunts, growls and barks. The upper molars are sharp, necessary for the thorough grinding of branches and leaves.
The salivary glands are large, secrete saliva with enzymes that break down the tannins of the leaves, facilitating digestion in the stomach and intestines. The intestine makes up about 1/3 of the body.
Distribution of the rufous howler
Red howler is distributed in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia. Found in Peru, French Guiana. Inhabits Suriname, Venezuela, Ecuador.
Habitat of the red howler
The red howler lives in rainy tropical and dry deciduous forests, as well as in mountain forests. Inhabits woodlands near rivers, mangroves, wetlands, woodlands in llanos.
Feeding the red howler
The red howler monkey feeds on leaves, unripe fruits, moss, bark, nuts, and flowers. The diet includes about 195 plant species from 47 families. Such food is not too high in calories, as it contains a lot of fiber, so the body receives little energy.
The red howler also feeds on insects and their larvae, sometimes catching small mammals.
Bacteria live in the digestive system of the primate, they help to absorb coarse plant food, consisting of cellulose.
Sometimes monkeys eat only leaves for a long time, but their body is not deficient in microelements and nutrients. The red howler monkey disperses the seeds of 95% of plant species in the rainforest ecosystem.
Features of the behavior of the red howler
Red howler monkeys are sedentary inhabitants of the forest and spend most of their lives on trees. They prefer to stay in the center of the upper storey, although they can inhabit all levels of the rainforest, and may even climb down to cover the short distances between trees on the ground.
Red howler monkeys sleep for 15 hours, 70% of the time they lie on tree trunks. At dawn, the monkeys emit loud cries, so they communicate with other flocks, determining the location of other relatives and their numbers.
The group usually contains up to 10 individuals, led by an experienced male.
At the same time, conflicts for leadership constantly arise in the pack. Therefore, young males leave the group to collect their flock. Sometimes young howler monkeys try to take a dominant position in the pack, while they destroy competitors - other young males. Of course, the females protect them, but only a quarter of the cubs survive.
Red howler monkeys are active in the morning and evening. They move along branches with the help of limbs and tail, using it for balance and pulling branches with fruits. During the rainy season, red howler monkeys sit motionless in the trees, waiting for the end of the rain.
Reproduction of the red howler
Red howler monkeys breed throughout the year. Pairs form before the breeding season. The female tries to attract the male with peculiar movements of the pelvis, the male, ready for mating, answers the call. She bears one cub of 7 months, after the appearance of his weight is only 263 grams. After birth, he clings to his mother's fur and moves with her in a hanging position, then crawls onto his back.
Feeding milk can be delayed for 1.5 - 2 years. At the age of one year, a young howler is able to cling to branches with its tail. The newborn is often also raised by other females without cubs. The interval between annual births is 16.6 months, if the cub dies, then the female gives birth to a second one. Young females are able to give birth at the age of 5 years, males later, reaching 7 years. In nature, red howler monkeys live for about 15 years, in captivity longer - twenty-five years.
There is always one cub in the litter. The mother can feed him up to 2 years. Conservation status of the rufous howler
The red howler is a fairly common species of primates. In the forests of Brazil, it is abundant, but in other places the number of the species is declining due to habitat destruction. In addition, animals are caught for sale and shot for meat. The conservation status of the rufous howler is the species of least concern.
View: Alouatta seniculus Linnaeus = Red [red] howler
Species: Alouatta seniculus Linnaeus = Red [red] howler
Red howler monkey: Alouatta seniculus Linnaeus, 1766 - lives in the northern part of South America from Colombia to Venezuela. The red howler has been recorded in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.
These are the largest animals among the American monkeys, about the size of a large dog. The faces are bare, fringed with fur, with prominent snouts and upturned noses. Red howler monkeys have a powerful neck and protruding lower jaw, which gives them an intimidating appearance and unattractive expression.
Red howler monkeys have a long, silky coat. Both sexes have a long, prehensile tail that is covered with dense fur except for the underside of the apical third, which is hairless. This is an adaptation for grabbing branches with the tail.
Red howler monkeys have upper molars with sharp ridges that they use to grind shoots; The large salivary glands assist the digestive system in processing and breaking down tannins from plant shoots before the food reaches the stomach and intestines.
The color of the coat is reddish or reddish brown, although its shade changes slightly with age.
Red howler monkeys are characterized by sexual dimorphism in body size. Head and body length of females - 46-57 cm, males - 49-72 cm, tail length (49-75 cm). On average, the body weight of howler monkeys is 4.5-6.5 kg, according to other sources, it varies from 5700-7400 g, while the average weight of males and females is 6.690 g and 5.210 g, respectively.
The red howler lives in rainy evergreen tropical and deciduous forests.
Enemies: The harpy eagle successfully hunts not only young, but also adult red howler monkeys. There is an observation when a harpy attacked an adult male, grabbed it with its claws and carried it about 30 m through the air. Interestingly, harpy eagles weigh significantly less than adult males.
Many young people die from alien males invading the family group. And although mothers try to protect their babies, only 25 percent of them successfully survive. Infanticide is the main cause of infant mortality in red howler monkeys.
Apparently, these animals live in captivity up to 25 years, in nature - much less. One wild-born animal was still alive after 22.8 years in captivity.
Red howler monkeys are famous for their "dawn chorus": a deafening roar that can be heard at a distance of up to 5 kilometers. This resonant howl, performed primarily by the males of the group, is answered by all other units of the dumbest howler within earshot. In this way, one squad can constantly inform the other of its composition and exact location, thereby avoiding energetically expensive quarrels over trifles and control over resources. In addition, this call also informs solitary animals about the location of their fellows.
Red howler monkeys are primarily green eaters, feeding mainly on young leaves and shoots and also on fruits. The leaves contain less nutrients, but the gut of howler monkeys has two sections where bacteria that digest cellulose live. The intestine occupies one third of the body. A powerful lower jaw also serves to thoroughly chew the leaves. Howler monkeys can feed on leaves alone for weeks without suffering much from a lack of any nutrients or trace elements.
Red howler monkeys also improve the digestive efficiency of their feed by selecting primarily tender young shoots that are remarkably nutritious. In addition, they eat nuts, sweet fruits, and flowers when available. Small animals are also usually eaten if they are caught by monkeys. These foods are important additions to the monkey's diet, which is 40% green shoots.
Howler monkeys spend almost all their lives in the upper tier of the rainforest, where they feed on leaves, flowers and fruits. Due to the low calorie content of the food they consume, red howler monkeys are forced to save their energy by moving slowly and little through the forest, covering only about 400 m per day. The dominant male searches for food for the detachment in the forest crown.
Monkeys are most active in the morning and evening, resting most of the middle of the day and night, sleeping in the trees. Thanks to their adaptations and slowness, they can afford to sleep 15 hours a day.
This species uses its tail for locomotion as a support and for balance, but especially when feeding, to pull a branch towards itself with a treat.
Red howler monkeys have a funny reaction to rainy days during the tropical wet season. In response to heavy rains, they howl before they approach, and when a downpour begins, they sit still, hunched over, until the rain stops.
Shortly after dawn, each group of howler monkeys, located at a height of about 20 m above the ground, practice loud choral singing for at least 15 minutes, stopping to catch their breath and listen to the singing of neighboring groups of howler monkeys.
Young males live outside the order when they reach sexual maturity. Having become sexually mature, they look for a new squad to join it. Upon joining a new troop, the male often kills all the offspring of the previous, dominant male whose place he has taken in the troop, to ensure that he does not waste time watching another monkey's young while he himself proceeds to breed.
Howler monkeys live in family groups of 5-40 individuals, among which only one, less often two, are adult males.
Upon reaching puberty, young males are expelled from the family group and forced to look for a new herd. In the event that the male is accepted, he begins to crack down on small cubs, expressing dissatisfaction with any other offspring except his own. Mothers defend their children, but in this case, after the aggression of the male, no more than 25% of all offspring survive. After birth, the cub becomes the object of attention of several females; in fact, those females who do not have offspring take care of him. Males are tolerant of their offspring, they allow the cubs to crawl on them.
Like other species of howler monkeys, they breed all year round. However, according to observations from Venezuela, offspring are born less often during the rainy season from May to July. Estrial cycles repeat every 16-20 days, and females remain receptive to mating and conception for 2-4 days.
After giving birth, newborns usually become the focus of attention of several females that make up the group. Usually, these are females without babies of their own, and their instinct is attracted to these babies. Females are extremely friendly to babies. They usually even sometimes allow the baby to crawl on them.
The mating behavior of red howler monkeys is another interesting aspect of their social interactions. Males and females form a mating pair, with an unusually close spatial relationship, even before any sexual relationship begins. Once these associations are formed, persistent sexual requests and harassment begin. While seductive behavior can be performed by both sexes, the female most often takes on the aggressive role. Trying to attract the male, the female approaches him and moves rhythmically with her pelvis. The male usually responds to her in the same way, but if he does not make such movements, the female is simply trying to seduce another male.
Frenzied sexual competition is often seen between males; members of the squad, consisting of young already sexually mature males, enter into combat with males living in a female (mixed) group in an attempt to become a member of it. Males who are expelled from their groups in which they were born must now, upon reaching puberty, invade another troop in order to gain access to females. If they succeed, they usually, first of all, destroy the newborns left in the group from the previous male, with the goal of leaving only their offspring.
Pregnancy: 140-190 days. One cub is born, but rare cases of twins are known. The weight of babies at birth is 263 g. Newborns are completely helpless and are in the care of their mother, tightly clinging to her fur on her belly. Over time, having matured a little, he moves onto the mother's back, additionally holding his tail to the base of the mother's tail, and in this way travels with the detachment through the forest.
Newborns often become the focus of other females, especially those without babies of their own. Females usually gently touch the baby with their muzzle and hands, and encourage their actions if the baby wants to climb on them.
Already at the age of a month, they know how to grab the branches with their tail, and since then the mother has been less careful about their safety. Babies ride on their mother for at least one year and continue to feed on mother's milk for 18-24 months. Females reach sexual maturity at 5 years, males - at 7. Therefore, females start breeding a couple of years earlier than males.
The red howler is the most common of all New World primates and has no special conservation status. They are still common and numerous in Brazil, but in some areas they have become rare, probably due to the destruction of their habitat.
The largest monkeys that are found in America are howler monkeys. In addition, these are the loudest representatives of primates. It is thanks to their sharp cry that they get their name.
Howler monkey: description and features
In the family, howler monkeys are the largest. They grow up to an average of 70 cm. Their tails are almost the same length as the body. Adult monkeys can weigh up to eight kilograms. Howler monkeys are covered with long hair, which can have different color options. Also, these primates have very developed throat pouches.
The howler monkey is distinguished by powerful fangs, as well as a jaw that is slightly pushed forward. This feature gives the primate an awesome look. The face of the monkey has no hair, but it does have a beard. Each paw of the animal is endowed with five tenacious fingers with flat nails.
Scientists describe five species of howler monkeys, among which two are the most common: the red howler and the Central American.
monkey tail
A photo of howler monkeys shows how powerful their tails are. This is a very important organ in the life of these animals. For them, the tail is an additional hand, with which monkeys can freely pick fruits and leaves. Also, with its help, they stroke their cubs or gently touch their relatives. But besides this, the tail of the howler is so powerful that it can easily withstand the weight of the monkey when it decides to hang on a branch upside down.
It can be noted that this part of the body has an unusual appearance. Below at the base of the tail, on the inside, there is an area where there is no hair. Instead, there are patterns and small ridges on the skin here.
Primate life
The howler monkey inhabits the humid forests located in the mountainous region of Central and Latin America. Individuals live in separate families, in which there are about 15 - 40 primates. In such communities, there may be one male and a harem of females. But more often it is a family where there are several males of different ages, as well as females.
You can notice them on trees where there are buds, juicy foliage, seeds, flowers, because this is what is included in their main diet. The main occupations of these monkeys are roaring and feeding. With the onset of night, primates go to sleep, although some individuals are able to scream even in their sleep.
Daytime "concerts"
Every day, with the sunrise, the whole herd of monkeys rises to the crowns of huge trees, where the “concert” will take place. Before starting the main occupation, primates settle comfortably on branches without making sounds. The strongest of all they try to hold on to a strong branch with their tail. As soon as everyone is seated comfortably, a signal is given, and the soloists, huge males, begin to roar.
Such a cry of a howler monkey resembles a competition, when each male inflates his throat with all his might and yells with all his might. At the same time, they seriously and carefully look at their relatives. But after some time, the voices of "ordinary" monkeys are added to this cry, forming a loud choir. This roar becomes audible for miles. But such a concert does not last long. After five minutes, reaching the highest point, the roar stops. Now the primates can eat breakfast to gain strength for the next song.
By lunchtime, the family goes to the forest for food. The photo of monkeys available in our article depicts such a herd. Having gained strength, in the late afternoon, the family starts their concert again, deafening the surroundings. But it is worth noting that males can scream all day.
Why so loud and why?
This question has long been asked by travelers who have heard the roar of a howler monkey. Over time, having studied the structure of this primate, scientists found that the laryngeal sacs of the animal, like resonators, are capable of amplifying the sound that the mammal makes several times.
But howlers stage their concerts not just like that, but with several goals. The first - so they strive to become more attractive in the eyes of females. The second is to show potential enemies and competitors that this territory belongs to them. Thus, this singing is meant to guard the lands of their family. But, despite this, inter-tribal battles occur regularly. The fact is that there is serious competition between males because of females. So, when a female is ready to mate, and no one in her family answers the call, she gives sounds to another male.
Offspring
The howler monkey bears a cub for about 190 days. As soon as the baby is born, he grabs his mother by the wool. So the baby will sit behind the nurse for a long time. Often, a young monkey accompanies its mother up to 24 months. But as soon as the young male becomes sexually mature, he is expelled from the family. This young man is obliged to penetrate into another herd, and if he is confident in himself, then he kills the leader and his heirs. Sometimes females leave the parental family, going in search of a new group.
howler monkey(Aloautta senikulus) is monkeys with wide noses, belong to the family arachnids. This species of monkeys has gained fame as a natural alarm clock, its roar can be heard in the early morning at the same time. The look of howler monkeys is too good-natured, it is impossible to look at them without a smile.
Penetrating, almost human eyes, as if penetrating into the depths of the soul. It seems that the animal understands the interlocutor without a single word. They are suitable for home maintenance, but they feel slighted and often simply grieve. Better if howler monkey will live in a flock a full life, and not in a cage.
Features and habitat of the howler monkey
howler monkey- one of the largest monkeys in Brazil. She got her name from the heart-rending cry which can be heard for miles around. Depending on the habitat, wool can acquire a red, light or dark brown, black color.
There is no hair on the muzzle, the jaw is rather wide, pushed forward a little. The primate has impressive fangs that allow you to get coconuts and drink milk or juice.
The lower part of the muzzle is framed by a neat beard. Each paw has five tenacious claws. The end of the tail is bald due to its frequent use, combs and patterned patterns are found along the entire length.
Most of all they love to sit on a branch and play loud parts. Thus, plunging the listener into shock, and signaling to relatives about their territory.
The most numerous species howler monkey- This is Central American (lives in the north of South America and Mexico) and red (Guiana and Venezuela). The body length ranges from 40 to 70 cm, the tail is 50-75 cm long and weighs about 10 kg.
The entire body is covered with thick, shiny hair. The color may be reddish, sometimes turning into black. Males often have a beard, which they like to stroke, as if thinking. Females are slightly smaller than males.
Special howler monkey cry due to the presence of throat pouches. They collect saliva and air, when you inhale they mix, and when you exhale, you get a piercing roar. Something similar to natural resonators.
The nature and lifestyle of the howler monkey
howler monkey by nature a calm animal, active in the sunny time of the day. Their daily worries are to bypass the territory, and latently you can refresh yourself with delicious food. At night they fully sleep, but some males do not stop screaming at night. Primates live in family communities that number from 15 to 17 individuals.
Male howler monkeys have a beard
In the group there is always one dominant male and his deputy, they have several females at their disposal. The lady herself lets know about the readiness for intercourse. If the main male is not ready, then she switches to an assistant.
It is the roar of the males howler monkeys make it clear that this is their territory. Yet there is no clear division, often between the heads of groups there are battles. In such unequal fights, many males die.
Sometimes fights occur due to the fact that the female paid attention to the male from the neighboring group. Fights are very tough, and the winner always finishes off the victim.
Scientists have also traced a tempting relationship between the amount of sound and the size of the primate's genitals. If the animal bawls for a long time, then this only speaks of not very special abilities, like a male. And with a constant roar, he once again calls the female.
howler monkey food
Basic diet howler monkey- these are deciduous greens of trees, flowers, fruits, fruits, young buds and shoots. Sometimes you can see how the primate stuffs soil into its mouth.
By this he tries to neutralize the poisonous property of some plants. Ground minerals collect toxic substances and, without causing harm, are excreted from the body. Since these are vegetarians, and plant foods do not provide much energy, they do not travel long distances.
All the power is saved for everyday concerts. You can watch how they make micro holes in the tree trunk and suck out the juice, rich in substances (nutrients), vitamins and microelements.
Howler Monkey Reproduction and Lifespan
After mating, the female leads a slightly secluded lifestyle, she tries to protect herself as much as possible. Carries a fetus for 190 days, there are rarely twins.
Pictured is a baby howler monkey
Immediately after birth, the baby clings to the mother's fur and literally lives on it. The mature cub is still in no hurry to leave the parent and can accompany her from 18 to 24 months.
The female feeds the baby with breast milk, she is an excellent mother - caring and attentive. If the baby was absent for a short time, then the parent constantly calls to him in common.
When the cub reaches puberty, the mother resorts to aggression to drive it away. The sight is not pleasant, as the monkey is constantly striving to return, you can even see tears.
Often young males howler monkey are simply expelled from their home group so that there is no incest. It is also not uncommon for young animals to die in violent fights.
The life span of the black howler in natural conditions reaches from 15 to 20 years. In captivity, there were cases when the primate lived to three dozen. Each howler monkey photo attracts with its magnetism. It is the intelligent look of almost human eyes. Facial expressions, movements, reaction to words and sounds - all this only proves once again that they are our distant relatives.
Primates express their favorable attitude and love by stroking their long tail. They use it in courtship and as a care for a mischievous baby. A delightful sight is a row of multi-colored howler monkeys, with open mouths, giving a morning concert.