Capuchin Monkey
TARA joined Animal Tracks in January 2021 after retiring from a career in film, with roles in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Babe: Pig in the City. Upon arrival, she was diagnosed with lymphoma. With guidance from our veterinarian, she receives regular checkups, a healthy diet, and CBD oil as part of her treatment plan. We’re happy to report that her condition has remained stable, and we’re hopeful she’ll have many more years with us.
Tara shares her home with Ember, who has become her devoted companion. While mutual grooming is common among capuchins, Tara is undoubtedly the Queen in this relationship—Ember lovingly tends to her without expecting anything in return. Their bond is a beautiful testament to the healing power of friendship!
ORDER: PRIMATES
FAMILY: CEBIDAE
GENUS: CEBUS
SPECIES: CEBUS CAPUCHINUS
Capuchins are diurnal or day dwelling. They are arboreal, live in the trees. They move quadrupedally, by leaping and climbing. They are highly sociable and live in groups of around 8 to 15 individuals. Grooming is a way of taking care of the ones you love, but also climbing the social ladder. They live in a patriarchal society where the male is boss. They are omnivores and eat fruit, leaves, insects, rodents, and reptiles. They are polygamists. The female is pregnant for 150-160 days and normally has one baby at a time. The babies stop nursing at 9 months. Males mature at the age of 7 years, females, much younger, they can have their first child at the age of 4. Capuchins have a superpower, they are seed dispersers, which means they eat the seeds as part of the fruit they consume, and once they defecate, those seeds are ready to become plants and trees.
Threats
Habitat destruction. Jaguars, birds of prey and bushmeat, pet trade and entertainment industry.
Conservation Status
CE - Critically Endangered