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.
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.
Speciation is still controversial but four species are widely recognised I.e. White Fronted, White Faced, Brown Tufted, and Wedge Capped. Named variants which fall into one of these four species categories 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.
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.
The perfect gift for animal lovers, why not adopt a Capuchin Monkey
Animal adoption is a great way to support Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary, lasts all year and makes for a lovely treat or gift. Treat yourself or buy as a gift for the animal lover in your life.
Here are some of the characters that you will see on your visit to Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary.
In the wild capuchins eat just about every fruit and plant that we can find. They also eat nuts, seeds, insects and spiders. The use tools to open hard fruits. On arrival at the sanctuary some did not know how to open a coconut. The first time took ages but now they can crack one open in a minute. Their favourite foods are walnuts, boiled eggs and brie cheese. Delicious!
The sanctuary rescues and provides a home for many types of unwanted animals, especially primates, such as chimpanzees, gibbons, baboons, spider monkeys, vervets, capuchins, tamarins, macaques and marmosets.
Although we specialise in the care and protection of primates we cannot stand by and see other animals in need of help. You will therefore find meerkats, wolf dogs, horses, donkeys, pigs and others at our sanctuary. All are equally important members of our extended family.
DOWNLOAD PRIMATE BOOKLET
Ticket Prices
TICKET PRICES
