Captivating Capuchins - Part 1

One of my personal favorites in the primate world is the Capuchin monkey, so called because of the hooded features created by the hair on their faces that resemble cowls or "capuche" worn by the Franciscan monks known as Capuchins. Capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) are "New World" monkeys meaning they originate in South America, as opposed to "Old World" monkeys originating in Africa. There are physical differences between New and Old World monkeys, the most prominent being; the New World monkeys have flat noses with widely spaced nostrils pointing to the side, the Old World monkeys have nostrils that are close together and point downward.

There are several species of Capuchin monkey as well as many hybrids, which makes it more difficult to distinguish between them. The following is a general impression of the various species submitted to me by Kevin Ivester (a long time private primate caretaker of capuchins)

"Cebus capucinus"- I think that everyone knows this guy, at least he's the easiest one to ID . This is the white-faced, OR white-throated, OR black & white capuchin. The same guy which appeared on the tv show "Friends", "George of the Jungle", or holding up the "Animal Planet" sign on the cable channel's station identification.

"Cebus albifrons"- This is the cinnamon or white-fronted (which confuses some because the name is similar to the above & it's generally not as white on front as the white-faced capuchin, usually buff to silvery); albifrons means white-fronted (albi- white; frons- front). They're very similar to the white-faces in build, vocalizations, and behaviors. There are between 11 to 13 sub-species (slight variations within the species; commonly known as races) of this guy which accounts for a great variety of colors which confuses us even further. Cinnamons vary from a true cinnamon (reddish) color to sandy brown, sandy blonde, to almost silver; however, you will ususally see the characteristic "cinnamon" color on the fore-arms and legs. They have a light colored face like the white-faces, maybe not quite as pale. With age, like white-faces, you will see some dark splotches or age spots.

Cebus olivaceus or Cebus nigrivittatus- This is the wedge-capped, or olive capuchin, or the "true" weeper (don't confuse with those dark faced capuchins that burst your eardrums with the screaming!). These monks most people will look at and refer to them as cinnamons, or rather dull looking cinnamons. They are built much like the two preceding species, maybe a little longer and robust. Their youngsters look very similar to cinnamon youngsters, again, leading to more confusion. They are either olive colored (hence, olive capuchin), dull brown, to a light sandy color. There isn't as great of a contrast between the lighter hairs surrounding the face and the rest of the body like you see in cinnamons and white-faces. Also, you won't see the reddish fore-arms as you do in cinnamons. Their faces are similar to cinnamons, but some may have dark pigment on muzzle and cheeks vaguely looking like spiders (spectacled look). Their most distinguishing characteristic is their "caps". The cap is narrower than cinnamons and white-face and doesn't reach the ears on either side; it also has a distinct "V" shape (which becomes less noticeable in maturity, especially in females which form a superciliary brush across the forehead), hence the name "wedge-cap". The "weeper" (which really confuses us all!) was given due to a ONE syllable cry they will emit when somewhat distressed: wooooooooooooooo (I've heard my male give this from time to time, usually in the evenings; my females, I've never heard). Personally, I hate this name being applied to them because it doesn't sound as much like weeping as what those "screamers"

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