Other Names: Brown Capuchin, Tufted Capuchin
Scientific Name: Cebus apella
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Body Length: 30–57 cm
Weight: 1.1–3.3 kg
Gestation: 180 days
Number of young: 1

Distribution: Central America
Habitat: Rainforest

Description: Like other South American monkeys Black-capped Capuchins have a prehensile tail which acts as a fifth limb when the capuchin travels through the trees. There are two tufted ‘horns’ above the eyes which gives them their other name, ‘Tufted Capuchin’.

Diet: The Black-capped Capuchin is an omnivore and eats nuts, fruit, insects, frogs, lizards and small bats.

In the wild: Capuchins are diurnal, which means they are most active during the day. They live in large social groups of up to 30 individuals. There is frequently more than one adult male in the group. These capuchins are not sexually mature until seven years of age. Females usually only mate with the dominant male in the group. The natural predators of capuchins are raptors (eagles), constrictors (reptiles) and jaguars.

Threats: Their ability to breed any time during the year and to adapt quickly to changes in their environment has reduced the impact of threats such as habitat destruction and hunting.

At Perth Zoo: Perth Zoo’s Black-capped Capuchins can be seen in the Lesser Primate area.

Did you know? Black-capped Capuchins communicate with different facial expressions that represent many things from greetings and friendliness to threats and fear.

When choosing a mate, capuchins ‘flirt’ with other capuchins by raising their eyebrows.