"God Himself... formed the earth and made it; He bath established it, He created it not in vain." Isa. 45:18.
Equipped with spider-like limbs, a long tail and a deep-red-colored body the red howler monkey lives in the forests of Central and South America. Like many other monkeys with long tails, they use them as an extra hand, often hanging upside down by them while picking a meal off the underpart of a branch.
Their homes are high in tree tops where they eat leaves, flowers and fruit. The moisture received from these, plus what they get by licking wet leaves, takes care of their thirst so that no other water is needed. This is one of the provisions of the Creator for this interesting animal so that they do not have to come out of the safety of the trees.
Red howlers are not peaceful and continually fight for leadership. However, they do stay together in small groups and move through the trees at a slow pace so all can keep together. In fact, this monkey is not known for speed or activity, but is quite slow in all its habits. That is why the native people call it flojo, which means lazy.
Unusual vocal cords and a large round mouth allow them to make howling noises that pierce the forest and can be heard for a mile or more. Individuals may howl for ne apparent reason, but when the whole troop joins in, the resulting racket is hard to describe, unforgettable to any who have heard it. This howling is done almost every dawn, pausing only so they can listen for answers from others. In howler language they seem to be saying, "Don't cross over into our territory!" But they are ready to howl at any time, especially when there is a full moon. At other times they also purr, grunt or squeal at each other.
A mother, when moving from one spot to another, first waits for her baby to climb onto her back. There it enjoys a piggy-back ride, which must be thrilling as its mother leaps from branch to branch. The little ones, incidentally, are more lively than the adults, having mock battles and squealing with pleasure while the parents nap, which they do a good part of the day.
We enjoy watching monkeys, realizing they have been created in their special way by a wise Creator who also cares for them at all times. But He has not given them a nature such as He has given to us. When we think of His special care for us we have to say, as the Bible does, "Great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend." Job 37:55God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. (Job 37:5).
Animals know nothing of God's love, but the Bible tells us of this wonderful love that goes out to every person. God invites each of us to listen and to come to Him by confessing ourselves to be sinners, believing His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, died on the cross to put these sins away, and accepting Him as Savior. When this is done in true faith, God declares, "[I] will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters." 2 Cor. 6:1818And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:18). Have you accepted this wonderful invitation?.