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Capuchin monkeys are such vivacious, intelligent monkeys that they have become the most numerous monkeys in captivity in the USA and Europe. Brown capuchin monkeys vary in color from light brown to mustard yellow to black. The shoulders and underbelly are lighter than the rest of the body. There is a patch of coarse black fur on the crown of the head, sometimes referred to as a cap. Above the ears the black hairs form tufts of fur giving the species one of its common names, tufted capuchin monkey. Facial patterns are variable among individuals, but black sideburns extending from the cap are characteristic of Cabbies aphelia . The hands, feet, and tail are either black or dark brown. |
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The capuchin monkey takes its name from the Capuchin monk, whose cowl the monkeys' head-coloring resembles. Although the species differ from one another in appearance, the typical capuchin is about a foot and a half long, with a slender prehensile tail a few inches longer than that. Weight ranges from about three to ten pounds, with males normally outweighing females. The
capuchin relies mainly on hard-to-find foods that are only available
for a short time, such as fruit and insects. This may require a larger
brain and foods rich in energy to sustain it. Capuchins are masterful
exploiters of their environment. They become easily bored in captivity
- they explore everything within reach, often taking things apart in
the process. |
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