Mammal · GBIF taxon 2436637
Cebus capucinus
Cebus capucinusAlso known as Colombian White-headed Capuchin, Colombian White-throated Capuchin, White-throated Capuchin
Colombian white-faced capuchins live in tight-knit social groups of up to twenty individuals, using clear trills and barks to coordinate troop movements through the canopy. Exceptionally clever, these arboreal primates spend their days probing tree bark for insects, cracking open hard nuts, and foraging for ripe fruits. Their prehensile tails act as a fifth limb, granting them remarkable agility as they travel across high rainforest branches.
SocialArborealIntelligent
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Fruits
- Insects
- Tree Frogs
Predators
- Harpy Eagle
- Jaguar
- Boa Constrictor
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, and illegal pet trade
HabitatsTropical rainforests, dry forests, and mangroves
Life span15 to 25 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCebidae
- SpeciesCebus capucinus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May bite or scratch if cornered or fed; maintain a respectful observation distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses sharp canine teeth and strong jaws capable of delivering severe bites containing oral bacteria.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by dense black body fur contrasting sharply with a white face, throat, and shoulders.
- What to do
- Maintain at least ten meters distance and never offer food or attempt physical contact.
- What to notice
- Look for a black cap on the crown that contrasts with the bright white facial fur.
- Support conservation
- Refrain from geotagging precise troop locations on social media to prevent illegal collection.
Responsible observation
- Keep food concealed: Capuchins quickly learn to approach humans for food and can become aggressive.
- Observe quietly: Use binoculars to watch group dynamics and tool-assisted foraging from a safe distance.
Canopy Neighbor (c) Cephas, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Competitor Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Seig, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Seig · cc-by
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