Long identified as the cute little monkey that wears a tiny cap and plays the organ for delighted onlookers, the Capuchin Monkey is a highly intelligent, resourceful and interesting animal. My daughter was recently assigned the project of researching an animal of her choosing and she chose the Capuchin Monkey. We were both fascinated with the information we discovered. Here are some facts on the Capuchin Monkey I think you will enjoy.
Interesting Origin Of The Capuchin Monkey’s Name. The Capuchin Monkey’s name was inspired from the monkey’s beautiful coloring. The Capuchin Monkey’s coloring closely resembles the color of the cowls worn by the Franciscan Capuchin Catholic Friars. Their bodies, including the arms, legs and tail are black or dark brown while the face and upper body including the the monkey’s throat and chest area is white. The Capuchin Monkey’s head is crowned with a black area that looks like a cap. The Capuchin Monkey’s beautiful colors are quite attractive and make this animal very attractive.
Height And Weight Of The Average Capuchin Monkey. The average Capuchin Monkey reaches a length between twelve and twenty two inches at adulthood. The Capuchin Monkey has a rather long tail that extends as long as the total length of their bodies. Capuchin monkeys can weigh up to two and half pounds after reaching their final weight at adulthood. Small and light, the Capuchin Monkey is quite agile and travels quickly.
The Average Day Of The Capuchin Monkey. The Capuchin Monkey spends all day searching for food in it’s natural habitat. They consume a varied diet including fruit, nuts and seeds as well as insects and spiders. If the animals have made their home near water, they will also sustain themselves on crabs and other shellfish which they open by banging them with rocks.
They often enjoy a midday nap to rest from their busy morning and re energize for the afternoon’s food search. The Capuchin Monkey sleeps in trees and makes a sort of nest in the tree by arranging themselves in between the branches.The Capuchin Monkey is not aggressive and does not seek conflict with other animals in their habitat. They are very peaceful animals.
Living Arrangements Of The Capuchin Monkey In Nature. The Capuchin Monkeys in the wild, live in groups of up to forty members. The group is comprised mostly of female Capuchin Monkeys and their young. The group is led by a single male monkey who mates with any female members of the group he chooses. The female Capuchin Monkey can bear young every two years after a gestation period of one hundred and sixty to one hundred and eighty days.
The males are not involved in the care of the offspring and have little to do with the babies until they reach maturity. While the male Capuchin Monkey is off gathering food to feed his family, the female Capuchin Monkeys care for the offspring of the group. The female Capuchin monkey reaches maturity at four years while the male reaches maturity at eight years of age. The average life span of the Capuchin Monkey is between fifteen and twenty five years in their natural habitat while they can live past forty in the care of humans.
New Job For The Capuchin Monkey. The Capuchin Monkey is considered to be the most intelligent of the species. While some are kept as merely exotic pets by private owners, the Capuchin Monkeys are now being trained as companions and helpers to paralyzed humans. After an extensive training period, Capuchin monkeys are being placed with handicapped people in their homes to assist them with everyday tasks such as preparing food in the microwave, retrieving the telephone and opening drink containers.
As with any companion animals, great care is taken when matching a Capuchin Monkey with a person in need. So far, the programs are a great success with the disabled person becoming greatly attached to their little helper vice versa. As the programs continue, their will undoubtedly be more tasks that the monkeys are taught making them invaluable as live in companions to the disabled.
The Capuchin Monkey is a fascinating little animal that is intelligent, non aggressive and extremely adorable to boot. Their resourcefulness, quick ability to learn new tasks and pleasant personalities make them quite the fascinating animal.
