That the howlers are actually children and they’re murdering these children that were basically programmed to kill, and that obviously reflects the child soldier nature of all of the animorphs themselves, even though I didn’t cry out in horror, I felt that hit me deep inside.

There’s no hints that I remember that would allow you to figure out the howlers were all basically newborns, culled for any malfunction. They’re so violent and I always recall the moment when they’re punching and ripping at erek who’s buying the animorphs just a little bit of time.

I guess the howlers do operate on instinct, and their main weapon is howling, like a newborn. Maybe the hints are there, but I never would have guessed. They also have stunning coordination and speed, something newborns are not known for.