Wildlife
Tufted capuchins are relatively common in the forests and rainforests of south America. These monkeys use a most unusual method of attracting their mates, they rub urine into their own fur. The results of a successful mating, young capuchins are carried around by their mother for months, by clinging to her fur. Hawks and eagles are so feared as predators that alarm calls are sounded at the sight of any bird shadows. These monkeys are well known for using stones to crack open nuts.
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Nutcracker sweet
Brazilian capuchins unlock the rich kernels of formidably-defended palm nuts.
Using a flat rock as an anvil, capuchin monkeys in Brazil show off their exceptional skill and dexterity by using rocks as tools to smash open delicious palm nuts. Was this the very first Hard Rock Cafe, one wonders?
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Tufted capuchin can be found in a number of locations including: Amazon Rainforest, South America. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Tufted capuchin distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Population trend: Decreasing
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The tufted capuchin (Sapajus apella), also known as brown capuchin or black-capped capuchin is a New World primate from South America. As traditionally defined, it is one of the most widespread primates in the Neotropics, but it has recently been recommended considering the black-striped, black and Golden-bellied Capuchins as separate species, thereby effectively limiting the tufted capuchin to the Amazon Basin and nearby regions.
The tufted capuchin is an omnivorous animal, mostly feeding on fruits and invertebrates, although it sometimes feeds on small vertebrates (e.g. lizards and bird chicks) and other plant parts. It can be found in many different kinds of environment, including moist tropical and subtropical forest, dry forest, and disturbed or secondary forest.
Like other capuchins, it is a social animal, forming groups of 8 to 15 individuals that are led by an alpha or dominant male.
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Helpless young
Tree dweller
Adapted to climbing
Hierarchical
Polygynous
Social
Seed dispersal
Chemical communication
Tool use
Viviparous