Monday, October 12, 2009

Howler monkey gazing in the tree

Here is another of the pack of howler monkeys that I showed yesterday and the day before. Unlike the monkey yesterday who was draped over the branch resting, this guy is sitting up and seems to be contemplating something in the distance.

I wonder what he is thinking? Maybe "I can't see the forest for the trees." Or, more likely, "I wish these humans would move on and stop staring at us with their cameras. Maybe if we answer their feeble attempts to hoot at us with some of our loud howls, they will then be satisfied and leave us alone."

Jarart of Prescott Area Daily Photo left a comment two days ago asking about the howl of howler monkeys. A pack of howler monkeys let out a low guttural howl so loud it can be heard 3 km. away (1.8 miles) through the forest. It is an amazing and thrilling experience. It is miraculous that an animal so small could vocalize a noise so deep and so loud.

My tease for tomorrow's photo is to let you know that it will be similar to today's, but cuter.

8 comments:

Eki said...

i've seen it in a National Geographic documentary. It's wonderful you can get close to it. Are they tame?

brattcat said...

This monkey does seem quite contemplative. It's a beautiful portrait, Dave.

Sharon said...

This little guy looks like he's posing for a studio protrait. Very nice photo.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Eki Qushay Akhwan,

To answer your question about whether howler monkeys are tame, they are tame in the sense that they will sit in a tree and do not mind you staring at them even if they are on a low branch. If you howl at them you can usually get them to start howling back.

In my experience, they will always stay on branches that are our of the reach of humans. I have never seen them actually come into physical contact with people. The closest I have seen is a couple of howlers who hung on a tree branch that extended over a road at a height of 3-4 meters (10-13 ft.)

If you want to see some photos of monkeys who will make contact with humans, although not tame, I will have some photos for you coming up in about a week..

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

this is an excellent photo. quite a portait

Judy said...

Such a sweet and wistful look on his face.

Buenos Aires Photoblog said...

This howler looks really pondering. Maybe he just thinks, if I don't look in that camera that guy will be gone in no time.

glenda said...

how could it be cuter?

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