Scientific Name: Cebus albifrons
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Body Length: 30–56 cm
Weight: 1.1–3.3 kg
Gestation: 150–160 days
Number of young: 1

Distribution: The Amazon, South America
Habitat: Rainforest

Description: White-fronted Capuchins have a light brown coloured back with a white or yellow underside. The top of the capuchin’s head is dark brown with a white or yellow face. They have a prehensile tail which is used as an extra arm or leg for grasping and holding on to branches.

Diet: White-fronted Capuchins are omnivores and eat mostly fruit but will sometimes eat insects.

In the wild: White-fronted Capuchins live in groups of 15–35 individuals. The group spends a lot of its time grooming, which maintains social bonds. When males reach maturity they leave their family group, to join other groups while the females stay behind. Their natural predators include cats like jaguars, raptors (predatory birds) and snakes.

Threats: White-fronted Capuchins are at most risk from the loss of their natural rainforest habitat in South America. Threats to this species include logging, land clearing for agriculture and the illegal pet trade.

At Perth Zoo: Perth Zoo’s White-fronted Capuchin exhibit is located in the Lesser Primate area.

Did you know? Capuchins pollinate plants and disperse seeds as they move about the rainforest.

White-fronted Capuchins are very intelligent and have been trained to act as ‘helpers’ for people with disabilities.