Tufted Capuchin

There are five species of Capuchin in the genus Cebus; tufted, white-throated, white fronted, weeper and black capped. They live in large troops of 10-35 individuals, with an alpha male who over sees the troop.

Tufted Capuchins are round-headed and stockily built, with fully haired prehensile tails and opposable thumbs. The body is 32–57 cm (12–22 inches) long, with a tail of about the same length. The tail is used during feeding, foraging and as a brake when descending trees. It is curled up behind the body when the Capuchin is walking on the ground on all fours (quadrupedal).

Capuchins are found in South America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Guiana, and Venezuela. They make use of all tree space from ground to canopy and are often frequenting areas inhabited by other primates.

Capuchins are omnivorous. Their diet consists of fruits, insects, leaves, nectar, nuts, small birds and terrestrial mammals. They will spend most of their day foraging for food and at night will find large trees fro rest.

They are considered the most intelligent of new world monkeys and tool use is common when foraging for food. They will use rocks to break open hard-shelled items.

Communication consists of vocalising, facial/body gestures and scent marking, which involves urine washing and chest rubbing.