The loudest animal relative to its size is the male howler monkey (genus Alouatta). Howler monkeys are known for their incredibly loud vocalizations, which can carry through the dense forests of Central and South America. The calls of howler monkeys can be heard from several miles away and are among the loudest sounds produced by any animal. The vocalizations are primarily used by males to establish and defend their territory, communicate with other group members, and attract females.
The calls of howler monkeys are deep and resonate with a low frequency. The volume and resonance are achieved through a specialized vocal structure called a hyoid bone, which acts as a resonating chamber in their throat. The size and shape of the hyoid bone vary among different howler monkey species, contributing to variations in their vocalizations.
It’s important to note that there are other animals that produce incredibly loud sounds in terms of absolute decibels, such as the blue whale, which produces powerful low-frequency vocalizations. However, when considering the relative size of the animal, the howler monkey’s vocalizations are the loudest.