Crested Capuchin

ANIMAL:
Crested Capuchin Sapajus robustus

Type of Animal:
New World Monkey

Habitat:
Forest, forest-cerrado transition areas

Location(s):
E Brazilian states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, & Espirito Santo

Appearance:
Bright red conical crest on crown, black beard, brownish red to yellowish brown fur, black forearms/lower legs/tail, males darker/larger than females, females more tufted on crown

Food/Diet:
Fruit, seeds, spiders, insects, crabs, frogs, small birds, small mammals, stems, flowers, leaves, bird eggs, nuts, roots, tubers, bark, pith, nectar, wood, grains, centipedes

Status in Wild:
Endangered

Conservation:
Breeding in zoos & wildlife centers 

Lifestyle:
Troops of 8-10 led by dominant male

Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young: Infant
Group: Troop

Weight:
Male: 8 lbs
Female: 5.5 lbs
Young: 1-2 lbs

Gestation:
6 months

Life Span:
Up to 40 years

Height:
Male: 1.67 ft
Female: 1.3 ft

Body Length:
Male: 1.67 ft
Female: 1.3 ft

Tail Length:
Male: 1.42 ft
Female: 1.3 ft

Main predators are felids, raptors, tayra, caiman, & large snakes. Larger medium-sized snakes prey on young. 

Active during day (diurnal).

Dominant male lets off alarm call when predators nearby.

Considered one of the most intelligent neotropical primates.

Sexually mature at 4 years old.

Stones used to crack open nuts & other harder items.

Endangered due to habitat loss, deforestation, pet trade, restricted range, hunting, agriculture, & climate change.

Tail semi-prehensile, meaning it can be used to hang onto branches but they can’t hang by tails.

Play role as seed dispersers due to diet.

Like other capuchins, they’re very playful & curious.

Utilize understory & midcanopy of trees.

Foraging noisy & destructive activity.

These monkeys tend to be wary of predators.

Fun Fact(s):
These monkeys can swim if need be.

Name “capuchin” derives from group of friars who wore brown robes w/ large hoods on head. 

To attract mates, they rub urine on their own fur. 

Even though cute when little, they become dangerous when older & are capable of biting fingers off w/ sharp teeth. They don’t make good pets.

Also known as Robust Tufted Capuchin.

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