These arboreal animals are sexually dimorphic, which means that the female is brown and the male, which is born brown, will turn black as he matures. Howlers are unique in their appearance. They have an enlarged hyoid bone and a greatly enlarged lower jaw, which enables them to make vocalizations that can be heard up to three kilometers through the jungle. They also have a prehensile tail, which is strong enough to hold their entire body weight. The black howler monkey has a varied diet, but they mainly eat leaves, fruits and other vegetable matter.
Howlers live in troops of one male with many females.
The black howler monkey is listed as vulnerable. Their numbers decrease, as human numbers increase creating a need for more land for grazing livestock and crop development. They are also hunted for food and commercial export. Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association . Member of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta .