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    - Photo via Irene Domhoff / Inaturalist.org -
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Published on Friday, October 6,
2023
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Among the majestic diversity of wild species in Costa Rica, are four varieties of monkeys: mantled howler (Alouatta palliata), white-faced capuchin (Cebus capucinus), squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) and spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps).
Research conducted by the University of Costa Rica's School of Biology in 2009 put the total number of specimens of all these species living throughout the national territory at 104,000.
The mantled howler is Costa Rica's biggest monkey species spotted on almost all beaches throughout the Pacific (Guanacaste and Puntarenas) and Atlantic (Limon) coasts.
The monkey is also found in Central America and parts of South America such as Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil.
These monkeys are named "mantled" due to the long, thick fur on their backs, which forms a mantle-like appearance.
They have a
prehensile tail that helps them with
climbing and grasping objects. Mantled
howlers typically have black fur, and
males are generally larger than females.
The monkeys are primarily folivores, meaning their diet consists mainly of leaves. They have a specialized digestive system adapted to break down the tough cellulose found in leaves. They may also eat fruits, flowers, and some insects on occasion.
Howler monkeys are known for their distinctive vocalizations, which can be heard over long distances in the forest. The howling is primarily used for communication within the group and to establish territory. They are social animals that live in groups, known as troops, typically consisting of several females, their offspring, and one dominant male.
They have a slow reproductive rate. Females give birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of about six months. The infant clings to its mother's belly for the first few months and is eventually carried on her back. Juveniles become more independent as they grow.
These monkeys play an essential role in their ecosystem by dispersing seeds as they eat fruits. By doing so, they help in the regeneration of the forest.
The
International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) listed these
fascinating creatures as a species of
least concern. However, they face
threats from habitat destruction due
to deforestation and human activities.
The Wild Costa Rica page is a space for readers to discover more about the fascinating species that make the Pura Vida land one of the world's countries with the richest natural diversity.
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