Capuchin Monkey
Capuchin Monkey Facts
| Size | 12-22 inches (30-56 cm) |
| Speed | Up to 54 km/h |
| Weight | 4-9 pounds (2-4 kg) |
| Lifespan | 15-25 years |
| Food | Fruits, leaves, reptiles, insects, rodents, birds |
| Predators | Snakes, birds of prey, jaguars, cougars, coyotes |
| Habitat | Central and South America |
| Order | Primates |
| Family | Cebidae |
| Scientific name | Cebinae |
| Characteristics | Medium-sized, intelligent primate with a prehensile tail |
Main Characteristics
Capuchin monkeys are medium-sized primates with a long, prehensile tail. They are very social and extremely intelligent. Of all primates, they have the largest brain compared to their body size. The best known is the Panaman white-faced capuchin monkey that lives in South America. It is black and has a white face.
Name
Capuchin monkeys are named after the Franciscan monks. Some species sport a "cap" on their heads, resembling the cowls worn by these monks.
Species
There are more than 20 species of capuchin monkeys. Some of them have a tuft of hair that stands upright, such as the tufted capuchin. Capuchin monkeys are closely related to squirrel monkeys.
Distribution and Habitat
Capuchin monkeys live in Central and South America, mainly in Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador. They prefer evergreen, tropical forests and dry forests as a habitat.
Life Style
Capuchin monkeys are diurnal creatures, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They typically form small social groups ranging from 10 to 35 individuals, which include a dominant male, multiple females, and their young offspring. A group is called a troop. They primarily inhabit the treetops, often found at heights of around 50 feet (15 meters).
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Capuchin monkeys have a body length of 12-22 inches (30-56 cm). Her tail grows as long as her body. The males weigh around 7-9 pounds (3-4 kg). The females are lighter. They weigh 4-7 pounds (2-3 kg).
Brain Size
Capuchin monkeys are significantly smaller than gorillas and orangutans, yet they possess the largest brain in relation to their body among all primates. The brain weighs about 3 ounces (80 grams).
The Cap
Capuchin monkeys sport a "cap" of fur on their heads, which is a different color and stands upright, resembling a tiny, attached hat.
Fur Color
Capuchin monkeys are mostly brown or black. Arms, legs and tail are usually darker, while head, shoulders, upper arms, chest, throat and neck are often lighter. In the Panaman white-faced capuchin monkey the face is white (surprise!).
Prehensile Tail
Capuchin monkeys have a tail that can grasp things, which is super handy for holding onto branches like an extra hand. It also aids them in maintaining balance while they climb and leap around.
Capuchin or Squirrel Monkey – What’s the Difference?
Capuchin and squirrel monkeys belong to the same animal family: the cebidae. Both primates are diurnal, spend most of their time in trees, and have a similar diet and social behavior. Nevertheless, there are differences. The capuchin monkey's face doesn't resemble a skull. It's also about twice as heavy and twice as large. Contrary to the squirrel monkey, it also has a prehensile tail.
Diet
Capuchin monkeys are omnivores. They feed on figs, mangoes, coconuts, leaves, crabs, frogs, lizards, insects, squirrels and small birds.
Behavior
Communication
Capuchin monkeys communicate with their fellow species through facial expressions, body language and sounds. They chirp, bark and whistle.
Urine Washing
Capuchin monkeys do something that we humans would never think of: they pee on their hands and then wash their faces with their own urine. The reason behind this behavior isn't fully understood yet, but biologists think it might be linked to their social habits.
Are Capuchin Monkeys Dangerous?
Capuchin monkeys look very cute. They seem harmless and peaceful. But are they? If they feel threatened, they can become very dangerous. They aren't afraid to bite hard and scratch with their sharp claws. There's a risk of disease transmission, too. That's why it's best never to touch a primate - no matter how cute it looks.
Senses and Abilities
Speed
Capuchin monkeys are quite speedy, capable of hitting a maximum speed of 33 mph (54 km/h). However, they can only maintain this speed over short distances.
Swimming
Capuchin monkeys primarily inhabit trees, yet they're capable swimmers. During low tide in mangrove forests, they look for frogs in the shallow waters and can swim short distances. However, they are unable to navigate across wider rivers.
Intelligence
Largest Brain Compared to Body Size
Capuchin monkeys are exceptionally intelligent, although they don't belong to the great ape family. Compared to their body size, they have the largest brain of all primates.
Tool Use
Researchers have found that Panaman white-faced capuchin monkeys have been using stones as tools for over 3,000 years. They use them to crack nuts, process seeds and fruits, dig or even make sounds with them.
Sense of Justice
Capuchin monkeys express their discontent when they see one of their own being treated unfairly. They also react negatively if another monkey receives preferential treatment without having earned it. These monkeys are highly social and have a strong sense of justice.
Life Expectancy
In the wild, capuchin monkeys live 15-25 years.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
The natural enemies of capuchin monkeys are snakes, birds of prey, jaguars, pumas, coyotes, caimans and ocelots.
Human Impact
The greatest threat to capuchin monkeys is fragmentation and loss of habitat due to deforestation. They are also caught to sell as pets.
Conservation Status
In general, capuchin monkeys aren't (yet) considered endangered. However, their number has declined sharply in recent decades. Of over 20 species, 16 are considered threatened - some are even threatened with extinction. The famous Panaman white-faced capuchin monkey is classified as “endangered”, too.
Importance for the Ecosystem
Capuchin monkeys play a crucial role in their habitat. They consume fruit and help spread seeds across the forest, leading to the growth of new trees. Additionally, they help control the populations of insects and other small animals species. The Panaman white-faced monkey also pollinates flowers by distributing pollen.
Reproduction
Capuchin monkeys don't form monogamous bonds. Instead, they typically mate with a different partner each year, often choosing the dominant male. The gestation lasts about 160 days, and typically, a single offspring is born. At birth, a baby is just a few ounces in weight. In the first weeks, it clings to the mother's belly and later rides on her back. By four months, it starts to discover which foods are suitable to eat. The care of the baby involves not just the mother and father, but also other group members. At the age of four, the offspring becomes independent.
Capuchin Monkey as Pets
Are Capuchin Monkeys Good Pets?
Having a monkey like Pippi Longstocking is a tempting idea for many people. They like to imagine that it “rides” on their shoulder, sits on their head and retrieves objects. Sounds wonderful to us humans. However, capuchin monkeys don't make good pets. They are wild animals that quickly become frightened and attack out of desperation. They can injure people and transmit diseases. Even if they are housed appropriately, they are far from happy. They often experience mental under-stimulation, leading to feelings of apathy or even aggression. How would you feel if someone locked you up? It's also important to know that in order for them to be sold as pets, they are usually taken from their mothers when they are still very young, causing immense suffering for both.
Is it Allowed to Keep Them as Pets?
It is allowed to keep capuchin monkeys as pets in 25 US states, as well as in Germany. However, permits are required and strict regulations apply to keeping them. You have to keep at least two animals and they need a large indoor and outdoor enclosure. Usually, this isn't possible in an apartment or house. The question is: Is it ethical to keep wild animals in captivity for our enjoyment? What are your thoughts?
How Much Does a Capuchin Monkey Cost?
The price for a capuchin monkey is 3,200-7,500 dollars (3,000-7,000 euros). Since they can't be kept individually, the costs are at least 6,400-15,000 dollars (6,000-14,000 euros).
Fun Facts
Movie Stars
Capuchin monkeys frequently appear in movies, such as “Pirates of the Caribbean”, “George of the Jungle” and “Night at the Museum”.
Collecting Money for Musicians
In 18th century Europe, capuchin monkeys were commonly seen alongside street musicians who played organ grinders. These monkeys were trained to gather coins from the audience using a small hat. To keep them from running away, they were usually tethered to a long rope. Sadly, they were seldom cared for in a way that suited their natural needs, leading to a poor quality of life.
“Jockeys”
In the 20th century, capuchin monkeys were exploited as "jockeys" in dog racing, strapped to the backs of greyhounds to mimic riders on racehorses. This practice was cruel to the monkeys, and thankfully, it was eventually prohibited.
The Capuchin Monkey Is Related To:
- Lion Tamarin
- Marmoset
- Squirrel Monkey
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Birds of Prey
- Caimans
- Cougar
- Coyote
- Harpy
- Jaguar
- Ocelot
- Snakes
Related Articles:
- Main Characteristics of Primates
- Ape vs. Monkey - What's the Difference?
- Animal Intelligence
- Animals That Recognize Their Reflections
- Top 16 Most Intelligent Animals in the World
