The White Faced Capuchin is a member of the capuchin family of monkeys. They are well known throughout the world as the 'organ grinder's monkey'. These entertaining and intelligent monkeys have been the most favored by organ grinders throughout the years. Another famous White Faced Capuchin many people may know is 'Marcel' from the popular television show "Friends".

This highly intelligent monkey is among the most commonly kept monkeys in captivity throughout Europe and the United States. The White Faced Capuchin is also known as White Throat Capuchin and has earned the nickname Ringtail, because of the coiling on the tip of its tail. As is true with all Capuchins, the White Faced Capuchin is arboreal and spends most of its time in the mid-canopy or under-story range of the trees in the forests that they inhabit. The White Faced Capuchin is highly social. They live in polygamous troops. Some troops are quite large, numbering into the 40s and others are comprised of only a few family members. Troops communicate within the group by sound. Their voices are heard squeaking, chattering and shrieking as they make their needs known to one another. They have at least 14 distinct calls. Unlike some other capuchins, the White Faced Capuchin will avoid other groups of their own kind. The White Faced Capuchin is a highly active monkey; combined with his intelligence they are very entertaining to watch. It is common to see a capuchin problem solving, using tools such as sticks to forage food. Like other capuchins, the White Faced Capuchin is omnivorous and eats a wide range of food. In the wild, they get most of their food within the trees, though sometimes they are known to obtain food from the ground. Some favorites for the White Faced Capuchin in the wild, are seeds, nuts, flowers, buds, berries, fruit, vegetation, small birds, shoots, bark, gum, insects, spiders and eggs. Some White Faced Capuchins also have a fancy for seafood and are seen eating crabs and oysters. Oysters can illustrate the intelligence of this monkey, as some have been seen using tools, such as stones, to open the difficult ones. The White Faced Capuchin is considered a pest in some areas because some have taken to raiding farm crops for food. The primary way White Faced Capuchins obtain their food is by prying into branches and opening enclosed areas to find their snacks. This behavior is quite natural in the wild, but can prove quite destructive in the home. It should also be noted, that because their dietary needs are so varied, the inexperienced owner might have difficulty maintaining a healthy nutritious diet. Although the White Faced Capuchin is a social creature and lives in troops, they are highly territorial. They mark their areas with urine that they have rubbed into their fur and feet. It should be noted that the White Faced Capuchin is not as territorial as some other monkeys. The White Faced Capuchin is a diurnal monkey and is active throughout much of the day, only taking a short siesta. Because all capuchins are so intelligent, they are widely used in research and have been used to aid the handicapped.

The White Faced Capuchin is a medium sized New World monkey. At maturity they measure 11 - 22 inches in length and weigh an average two to five pounds. They have a long prehensile tail (14 - 20 inches) with a coiled tip and opposable thumbs. The White Faced Capuchin bears a tuft on his head that is reminiscent of the capuche worn by Franciscan monks. The name 'capuchin' stems from the French word 'capuche'. They have a white throat, head and shoulders. The White Faced Capuchin originates in Central and South America. They are most commonly seen in low-lying forests with little to no undergrowth.

It must be understood that the White Faced Capuchin does not make a good pet for someone not experienced with keeping primates. They are not easily tamed and many inexperienced owners have soon regretted their purchases, leaving unwanted monkeys in bad situations. The young White Faced Capuchin is very lovable and cuddly, but by adolescence, they become sexually mature. At sexual maturity, they tend to display more aggression and have developed adult strength and powerful canines in males. Aggression can be directed towards owners, resulting in bites and other injuries. Further behavioral problems can also develop if the White Faced Capuchin's emotional and psychological needs are not being met. Caring for monkeys is not for everyone. If you have experience raising primates, the White Faced Capuchin can make a wonderful pet, but one must have the knowledge and experience before attempting to own one of these magnificent creatures.

The White Faced Capuchin reaches sexual maturity at approximately two years of age. They are polygamous. After impregnation, the gestation period lasts approximately 150 days. It is rare that twins are born; usually only one baby is seen. The infant is born gray, but develops adult coloring by three months of age. Within six months, the newly born baby will be nearly full-grown. A typical female will give birth once every two years or so.