Mammal field guide · Spider, Howler, and Woolly Monkeys

Photographing the Mantled Howler Monkey

How to photograph the Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (January, February and March).

30–120 cm1/2000 sVU
Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata)
Photo: © Cephas, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist
30–120 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
14,234
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionGet down to eye level; a long lens with close focus (or an extension tube) helps with small subjects.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 75 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)78 mm117 mm52 mm39 mm
10 m (33 ft)156 mm234 mm104 mm78 mm
15 m (49 ft)234 mm352 mm156 mm117 mm
20 m (66 ft)312 mm469 mm208 mm156 mm
30 m (98 ft)468 mm703 mm312 mm234 mm
50 m (164 ft)780 mm1,172 mm520 mm390 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 15% Jan Feb: 11% Feb Mar: 12% Mar Apr: 8% Apr May: 7% May Jun: 8% Jun Jul: 9% Jul Aug: 7% Aug Sep: 4% Sep Oct: 5% Oct Nov: 6% Nov Dec: 8% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: January, February and March.

About the Mantled Howler Monkey#

The mantled howler (Alouatta palliata), or golden-mantled howling monkey, is a species of howler monkey, a type of New World monkey, from Central and South America. It is one of the monkey species most often seen and heard in the wild in Central America. It takes its "mantled" name from the long guard hairs on its sides.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Get down to eye level; a long lens with close focus (or an extension tube) helps with small subjects.
  • Sightings peak in January, February and March, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Spider, Howler, and Woolly Monkeys#

Central American Spider Monkey Central American Spider MonkeyAteles geoffroyi Yucatán Black Howler Monkey Yucatán Black Howler MonkeyAlouatta pigra

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Mantled Howler Monkey?

At about 75 cm long, a mantled howler monkey fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 156 mm, or at 20 m with 312 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Mantled Howler Monkey?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Mantled Howler Monkey?

Observations in North America peak in January, February and March. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources