The red howler monkey (Araguato)

The red howler monkey (Araguato)

The Araguato or Red Howler Monkey, it is one of the most interesting primates of Venezuela. They move in family groups of 10 to 15 individuals, conformed by adult females, young males and a few juveniles. The group is managed by a strong dominant male, which offers protection to the family.

The troops move about large tracts of forest, using the strong but flexible branches of the tree canopies as a means for displacement, showing their well developed circus trapeze star abilities.

They are called "auyadores" or howlers due to the fact that their throat possesses a super developed Hyoid bone, which acts as a sound resonance box. Such anatomical feature allows them to produce their well known calls, characterized by vibrant guttural sounds of varying intensity and length.

They live in the jungles of the Neotropics, including cloudy, wet and seasonal tropical forests. In the forests of the Venezuelan llanos they are relatively easy to observe during the dry season, when most of the trees lose their leaves to survive the drought.