About Capuchin Monkeys

The Capuchin monkey is a small, baby-faced monkey that originates from Central and South America. They are often captured and trained as pets or even care animals for the disabled because they are intelligent. However, the Capuchin monkey can also be a territorial animal. Despite having an adorable face, there is more to these monkeys than meets the eye.

  1. Biology

    • Capuchin monkey are very small, only growing to an average height of 12 to 22 inches and ranging between 3 to 9 pounds. The life expectancy of these monkeys is between 15 to 25 years in the wild although in captivity they can reach approximately 45 years of age. These monkeys are dark brown with lighter-colored fur, usually a creamy white color that grows over its shoulders, neck and up around its pink face.

    Behavior

    • Because of the cleverness associated with Capuchin monkeys they are often used to aid disabled individuals. They are quick to learn and apt to offer companionship as well as aid. If raised from a young age, the Capuchin monkey will develop a strong bond with its human owner. In order to form this bond, the baby Capuchin must be treated like a real baby from bottle feeding to diaper changes and constant attention. They are diurnal animals meaning they are most active during daytime hours.

    Diet

    • The diet of a Capuchin monkey varies. The natural diet of these monkeys consists of nuts, fruits, flowers, bugs and small animals such as birds. However, in captivity humans generally feed Capuchin monkeys fruits, nuts, baby food and table foods. A mixture of sunflower seeds, bananas, apples, oranges, lettuce, carrots and peas is a typical diet for a captive Capuchin.

    Environment

    • The rain forests of Central and South America, particularly areas of Brazil, are said to be home to the Capuchin monkey. They spend their day playing either in the trees or on the ground jumping about. At night these monkeys take refuge in the trees and sleep on branches. This keeps them safe from predators lurking on the ground.

    Threats

    • Whether in the wild or in captivity, there are many threats surrounding Capuchin monkeys. They are hunted as a food source by native residents of Central and South America. There is also the threat of predators, particularly jungle cats such as the jaguar. On the other hand, Capuchin monkeys also pose a threat to humans. They can easily transmit diseases such as hepatitis and, like any wild animal, rabies. Since the immune system of these monkeys differs from a human being, they are also susceptible to diseases that humans can pass along to them making it dangerous to try and domesticate these wild animals.