Capuchins

There are four species of capuchin monkeys found in South America. The brown capuchin (Cebus apella) lives in tropical and subtropical forests from Venezuela to Brazil. Capuchins are not found in the Andes Mountains along the western part of the continent. The brown capuchin has tufts A white-fronted capuchin (Cebus albifrons). © Renee Lynn, National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers, Inc. Reproduced with permission. of hair on the forehead and a dark cap which extends downward on his forehead into a triangle. Other distinctive markings of the brown capuchin are black sideburns, and a coarse coat that is usually paler on the abdomen, with black limbs. The hair on the face is sparser than the rest of the fur, and the facial skin is pale. The average weight is 6 lb (3 kg) for females and 8 lb (4 kg) for males.

The white-faced capuchin (C.capucinus) is found in Central America from the southern region of Mexico, south into Colombia. White-faced capuchins live in dry or wet forests, and in mangroves. The color of their fur is pale cream to white on their bellies and the upper parts of their arms and legs, with black fur on their backs and lower limbs. They have white fur on their faces and a black cap. Many older white-faced capuchins have a ruff (fringe) of hair on their foreheads and crowns. The average weight for males is 7 lb (3.5 kg) and 5 lb (2.5 kg) for females.

Weeper capuchins (C. nigrivittatus) are found north of the Amazon and north and east of the Rio Negro in Brazil, the Guianas, and central Venezuela. Females weigh less than 5 lb (2.5 kg) and males weigh around 6 lb (3 kg). Their colorings are like the white-faced capuchins but there is less contrast between the dark and light colors. They have a narrow crown patch that comes to a marked point on their foreheads. They also live in dry and wet forests and mangroves as do the white-faced capuchin.

The white-fronted capuchin (C. albifrons) is found in the moist forests of Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and on the island of Trinidad. This species is slightly smaller than other capuchin monkeys. The colors are similar to weeper and white-faced capuchins, with a pale and broad cap that covers most of the tops of their heads.

Capuchins are capable of running on two legs, as well as on all fours. They are very nimble and acrobatic in the treetops. The use of the tail as a fifth limb in capuchins is rather restricted. They do not spend all their time in trees, however, since they also find food on the forest floor. Fruit comprises 80% of capuchins' diet, the rest consisting mainly of leaves and insects. In laboratory studies capuchins will use tools to help them get food.