Black howler monkeys adapt mental maps like humans

Black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) demonstrate advanced cognitive navigation skills, adapting mental maps similar to humans by integrating route-based knowledge with spatial awareness. Researchers tracked five groups of these endangered primates for a year in Palenque National Park, Mexico, observing their movements across 91.5 km over 250 days. Unlike simulated random movement models, the monkeys consistently revisited specific routes and fruit trees from select directions, suggesting they use mental maps that incorporate both familiar paths and knowledge of distances and directions to navigate efficiently. This study highlights the complex cognitive abilities of black howler monkeys in their natural habitat, offering insights into their foraging strategies and spatial memory.

Knight, K. (2021). Black howler monkeys adapt mental maps like humans. Journal of Experimental Biology, 224(15). https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.243106