Planet of the Apes

An elder in the wild, but closer than I’d expect for a zoo. And perhaps taking offense at my suggestion that he’s aping the apes.

The Howlers are the only folivores (leaf-eating herbivores) of the New World monkeys. They focus on the young leaves to minimize alkaline intake (which causes them to siesta). In that belly resides a highly specialized, complex stomach with discrete alkaline and acidic sections.

But there’s something in that gaze…

“Their eyes, voice, and gait are indicative of melancholy” (Alexander von Humboldt)

John Lloyd Stephens described those at the Maya ruins of Copán as “grave and solemn as if officiating as the guardians of consecrated ground”. To the Mayas of the Classic Period, they were the divine patrons of the artisans, especially scribes and sculptors. Copán in particular is famous for its representations of Howler Monkey Gods.” (wikipedia)