Smart guy

The capuchin monkey (“macaco prego” in Portuguese) is probably the best-known species of monkey in the Amazon rainforest. He is considered one of the most intelligent monkeys in the world, being able to open hard-shelled fruits using tools that they themselves create with stones or pieces of wood.

In portuguese, “prego” means nail, and so the monkey is named after the peculiarity of its penis, which is shaped like a nail when erect. The capuchin monkey is widely spread in the Amazon region, preferring places with palm dominance. It usually feeds on fruits and leaves, hunting insects and small vertebrates with the help of tools. He is also able to use vocalizations to communicate with his peers, socialize and make friends with other monkeys, thus, there are more monkeys watching the presence of predators, because they both have a common enemy: the birds of prey from the Amazon rainforest.

In free life they live in groups of up to 20 individuals, but when they notice the presence of predators they can join other groups and work cooperatively to chase away the other animal. Although most of their diet is based on fruits, roots or plants, it is certain that insects, reptiles and amphibians are also part of their diet, as well as small mammals or even eggs.

Capuchin monkeys also know where to find all their food, because they have a big brain for their small size, which allows them to have a mental map of where to find the right resources.

The capuchin monkeys use onions, lemons or other citrus fruits, insects or some plants with antiparasitic principles, to prevent diseases and parasites such as ticks. They have a fantastic instinct that lets them know which plants have the antiparasitic they are looking for. This different bath reinforces social relationships, as capuchin monkeys get together and share the onion as much as possible.

The movement of these animals consists of using the four legs, but they can be seen walking supported only on the hind legs. They are arboreal animals that use the tail to move between the branches. They descend to the ground only in times of scarce food.