Capuchin Monkeys
| More Animal Resources Types of Animals Types of Monkeys |
Recognized world wide for their congeniality, curiosity and intelligence, Capuchin monkeys (genus Cebus) are native New World monkeys that inhabit the forest areas of Central and South America.
For better or worse, in the five hundred years of Western history in the New World, the capuchins' congenial nature persuaded humans to domesticate them for many tasks, including companionship, work and laboratory studies.
Slender in stature, capuchin monkey species range in size from one to two feet, and range in weight between three and nine pounds.
In the wild, their multimale multifemale social structure is organized around female philopatry. Males tend to migrate among various troops over the course of their lives. Recent research suggests that female dispersal patterns can be linked to an infanticide prevention strategy.
Their dietary preferences begin with fruit and extend to a variety of insects and local animal life, including birds.
The IUCN lists four of the twelve capuchin species:
- Yellow-breasted Capuchin (Cebus xanthosternos) of the Atlantic Coastal forests of Brazil
- Robust Tufted Capuchin (Cebus robustus) of the Atlantic Coastal forests of Brazil
- Ka'Apor Capuchin (Cebus kaapori) of the Atlantic Coastal forests of Brazil
- Blonde Capuchin (Cebus flavius)
all native to the Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil, as endangered or critically endangered. Habitat loss and hunting represent their primary threats.
© 2010 Patricia A. Michaels.