Canopy Climbers: Mantled Howlers in Action

Mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) navigate the mid-canopy of Manuel Antonio National Park, their powerful limbs gripping branches as they move through their arboreal kingdom. Distinguished by their black fur and distinctive "mantles" of longer hair, these vocal primates are named for their territorial calls that can be heard up to three miles away—an evolutionary adaptation that helps troops establish boundaries without physical confrontation. Though less dexterous than their capuchin neighbors, howlers play a crucial ecological role as seed dispersers, helping maintain the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica's Pacific coastal forests.