Speciation is still controversial but four species are widely recognised I.e.  White Fronted (see Jake, left), White Faced, Brown Tufted, and Wedge Capped. Named variants which fall into one of these four species catogories are  listed below. Their natural habitat is rain forest, mangroves, and deciduous dry forest, where they will forage from ground level right up into the canopy.

They are pretty well omnivorous. Their natural diet includes at least 95 types of fruit, leaves, berries, nuts, seeds, shoots, buds and  gums, bark, insects, spiders, small vertebrates, birds, infant squirrels, baby coatimundis, lizards, eggs, crabs, oysters, and at least 24 species of flowers.

Capuchins are fascinating animals to watch as they are so active, inquisitive, bold, cheeky and obviously intelligent. Their expressions and human-like eyes make them particularly appealing to us. A list of sub-species is shown below.

Capuchins.. are often referred to as "Barrel Organ Monkeys" and are very intelligent social animals indigenous to South America. As their nickname suggests they have been "domesticated" and used for generations by street merchants, beggars and buskers to attract public attention. They quickly learn to perform quite complex tasks and to interact with humans.

White-faced or White-headed Capuchin,

White-fronted Capuchin,

Shock-headed Capuchin,

Trinidad White-fronted Capuchin,

Blond Capuchin,

Ecuadorian Capuchin

Blond Capuchin

Weeper Capuchin

Kaapori Capuchin

Black capped, Brown or Tufted Capuchin

Large Headed Capuchin

Black Striped Capuchin

Black Capuchin

Golden Bellied Capuchin

Capuchins are the most intelligent of the New World Monkeys.They can be taught the concept of money and trade and have appeared in functional roles in numerous films.

They can also be taught to assist disabled people by washing their faces, microwaving food, cleaning and answering the door and doing other simple jobs around the home.

Their nick name of Barrel Organ Monkeys comes from their long association with fair grounds, street entertainers and beggars.

In the wild their main threats are from  Humans, Eagles, Jaguars, Cougars, Snakes, Crocodiles, Coyotes, Jaguarundis, Tayras and habitat loss.

Our Black Capped Capuchins Danny and Coleen (above) and with Connie (left).

Danny

Capuchins are one of the most popular monkeys kept as pets, but without proper care and diet they suffer various health problems and unfortunately they are one of the most abused species.