WorldWildMapWildlife atlas
Mantled Howler Monkey
Field guide
mammal · CR

Mantled Howler Monkey

Alouatta palliata

Add photoLog sighting
Overview

The sound of the neotropics at first light.

You will hear a mantled howler long before you see one, and possibly before you are fully awake: the dawn roar of a male carries three kilometers or more through wet forest, produced by a resonating throat bone that turns a ten-kilogram monkey into a public address system. The howl is real estate law, troops announcing position so that rival groups can avoid an actual fight neither can afford. Howlers run the rainforest's low-energy strategy: they eat leaves, which are abundant and nearly worthless, and pay for it by resting up to three quarters of the day, draped over branches like discarded coats. Troops of a dozen or two are a fixture of Costa Rican forest, mangrove and even roadside strips.

Behaviour

Troops led by a few males, choruses at dawn and before storms. Movement is deliberate, hand over hand, tail always anchored.

Diet

Young leaves, flowers and fruit, fermented in an oversized gut; water needs are met from the canopy, so they rarely descend.

Photography

Follow the roar at first light and shoot upward with exposure compensation at plus one; a black monkey against bright canopy fools every meter. The wide yawn is the frame.

Ethics

Never feed monkeys and keep distance at eye-contact height; habituated howlers end up electrocuted on roadside wires chasing handouts.

Where you'll find them

Generalised encounter areas, not exact locations. Each shape is a grid cell coloured by how likely the species is there.

  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · high confidence · 92 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 20 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 17 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 20 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · high confidence · 74 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 10 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 13 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 8 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 10 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · high confidence · 64 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 10 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 11 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 10 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 12 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · high confidence · 63 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 9 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 13 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 15 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 34 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 9 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 32 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 32 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 29 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 8 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 29 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 10 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 27 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 8 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 25 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 9 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 25 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Very likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 22 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 22 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 21 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 18 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 17 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 15 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 15 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 14 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 13 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 12 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 12 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 12 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 11 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 11 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 11 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 11 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 10 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 10 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 9 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 9 records · updated 1 day ago
    Likely
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 9 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 9 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 8 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 8 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 8 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 8 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 8 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 7 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 6 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Possible
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 5 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 4 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 4 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 4 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 4 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 4 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 4 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Uncommon
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Rare
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Rare
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Rare
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Rare
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Rare
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Rare
  • Costa Rica
    10 km zone · medium confidence · 3 records · updated 1 day ago
    Rare
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