Creature Feature #322: Howler Monkey

There are fifteen species of Howler Monkey, spread across the forests of Central and South America. They are most famed, and named, for their loud howling call, which can travel up to five kilometres, and is used to define the boundaries of their territory and communication. They are widely considered to be the loudest land animal. Troops consist of up to 15 individuals, with a few adult males and the rest comprised of females. Once they become self-sufficient, juveniles leave their natal troop to join another. His sense of smell is very keen, and he is capable of scenting fruit from up to 2 kilometres away. 

Creature Feature #294: Golden Snub-nose Monkey

The Golden Snub-nose Monkey makes her home in the temperate forests of central and southwest China. She can withstand temperatures colder than most non-human primates. Her diet is primarily vegetative, with lichen being her favoured food. Since lichen commonly grows on dead trees, and dead trees are frequently logged, she is under heavy threat from deforestation. She will also eat leaves, buds, flowers and fruit. Golden Snub-nose Monkeys band together in troops. Females are more sociable than males, and will often assist one another with their infants. At night, they huddle together to share warmth.

Creature Feature #289: Guenon

The Guenon are a Genus of Old World monkey, comprised of around 26 species found across Africa. The name is French, and translates as "monkey". They are generally characterised by their long back legs, rounded heads and cheek pouches. Many species have additional facial adornments in the form of beards or moustaches and striking colouration. This fellow is a Red-tailed Guenon. Most species live in large groups, mainly comprised of females but with at least one resident male. Males form their own, smaller, groups. They forage through the treetops, following an omnivorous diet of leaves, fruit, invertebrates, seeds and even small vertebrates.

Creature Feature #278: Gorilla

The Gorilla is the largest living primate, with some silverback males weighing in at over 200 kg. The Gorilla lives in social groups, lead by an adult male, his harem of females and their offspring. He is the center of the group, making the decisions, leading his troop, mediating drama and generally being the boss. Other, younger, males help to protect the troop against predators and other dangers. His diet is mostly vegetarian, although he will on occasion snack on insects, with leaves and pith making up the majority. Generally the troop will divide the day between foraging and resting. He is considered to be one of the most intelligent of animals, with a rich emotional family life.

Creature Feature #256: Galago

The Galago, or Bushbaby, are several species of small, nocturnal primate native to the African continent. The female forms a social groups with her sisters and their babies, while the male maintains his own overlapping territory, coming into contact with the females to breed. The troop travel together, following each others' cries and marking the path with urine. At the end of the night of foraging for insects, they all gather together in a nest made from leaves or a hollow tree. Like most primates they are highly social, engaging in mutual grooming, chasing each other through the branches and mock skirmishes.

Creature Feature #171: Douroucouli

The Douroucouli, or Owl Monkey, are a Genus of nocturnal monkeys inhabiting the forests of South America. His eyes are large and round, giving him excellent night vision and he has good spatial awareness, making him adept at catching insects, although he also enjoys a diet of fruit, flowers and leaves. Unusual among New World monkeys, he has no colour vision. He establishes a monogamous bond with his mate, and they produce one offspring a year. The mother carries the infant for the first few weeks of its life, and then it is put into the care of its father. Groups consist of the pair and their immature offspring, with maturity reached at between 2 and 5 years of age, depending on species.

Creature Feature #170: Douc

The Douc are a Genus of striking langur monkeys found in Southeast Asia. This fellow is the Red-Shanked species and he is occasionally referred to as the "costumed ape" (although he is not an ape at all). Troops consist of between 4 and 15 members, with up to 50 recorded, and with twice as many females as males. An aerial specialist - the males lead the troops through the treetops, making soaring leaps of up to 6 meters. He is a very expressive monkey, with individuals communicating emotion through facial expression. Gentle and peaceful, the troop gather in the branches to chew on leaves and will share tidbits with one another.

Creature Feature #119: Colobus Monkey

There are a number of species of Colobus Monkey divided into two Genus. The black and white are the most well known, but the Red (Piliocolobus) species are the most colourful, as well as being the most endangered: with three of the nine species classified as "critically endangered". These "Old World" monkeys live in troops, which can have up to 80 members, with twice as many females as males and a strong social hierarchy. Adolescent monkeys often leave their natal troop to join other groups, but other groups can be suspcious and violent, thus the "teenagers" will occasionally join up with a neighbouring green monkey troop and "spy" on the group they wish to join. Aside from the usual threats of deforestation and being hunted for bush-meat, Red Colobus are also predated by chimpanzees. Studies have shown that chimpanzees are responsible for 6-12% of female/infant deaths in some areas.