The
capuchin monkey earned its name from its distinctive black body and
white cowl, which resembles the outfits worn by capuchin monks.
These small primates have a prehensile tail that serves to prop or
anchor them while they travel through the trees of their territory
foraging for food. In order to mark their territory, members of the
capuchin troop will urinate on their hands and then rub their feet
and fur -- leaving behind a urine trail wherever they go.
The
white-faced capuchin will forage all the way from the forest canopy
to the forest floor for a variety of foods. In fact, of all the
monkeys found in the Americas, capuchins have the most varied diets,
and utilize 95 different plant species. They primarily feed on
fruits and insects, but they will also eat small vertebrates, birds,
nuts, berries, seeds, flowers, buds, shoots, bark, gums, spiders,
eggs, and even oysters and crabs. Despite their versatile diet,
capuchins are known as choosy eaters, picking out grubs from fruit
before eating it and testing foods for ripeness by smelling and
squeezing. They have also been reported to use tools such as stones
in order to open oysters and nuts.
photo M. Noonan
photo M. Noonan
The
capuchin monkey is also considered one of the most clever animals on
the planet. In terms of brain size to body weight ratio, the
capuchin is second only to man!