Santa Marta White-fronted Capuchin, Cebus malitiosus
SANTA MARTA WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN
Cebus malitiosus
Geographic Distribution and Habitat
The Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin is found in dry tropical forests, tropical lowland forests, and montane (mountainous) and submontane forests near the northwest base of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia.
The Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the Humboldt’s white-fronted capuchin (C. albifrons), or one and the same with the Colombian white-throated capuchin (C. capucinus). The species was officially described as a unique species in 2013 by scientists.
All capuchin monkeys were once considered to be members of one genus, the gracile (slenderly built) capuchins (genus Cebus). However, in 2012, capuchins were subdivided into two genera: the robust (or tufted) capuchins (genus Sapajus) and the gracile capuchins. The Santa Marta white-fronted capuchins are proud members of the gracile capuchin monkey genus.
Size, Weight, and Lifespan
The Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin has not been studied extensively, and as you’ll see for the majority of this profile, much of the information must be inferred from information known about other closely related capuchin species.
The only measurements recorded are with regard to adult males, which have a head-body length of about 18 inches (45.7 cm) and a tail of about 17 inches (43.3 cm). No measurements of females have been recorded, but like other capuchin species, males and females are likely to exhibit sexual dimorphism, or noticeable physical differences between genders. Adult males are likely larger than females and develop larger canine teeth compared with those of females. The lifespan of the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin is unknown, but other capuchin species tend to live 15-25 years in the wild.
Appearance
Much of the body of the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin is dark brown, with a cinnamon-colored back, forearms, and forelegs. The shoulders and sides of the head are light yellow, while the ears and face are flesh-colored and hairless, except for the dark brown lips and nose tip. The underside is ocherous-tawny to cinnamon-brown and silvery. Contrasting with this is a pale area on the front of the body, which extends over the upper surfaces of the shoulders and the inner sides of the upper arms.
They are a slender species, with long limbs which enable them to travel around their tree-dominated habitat with remarkable agility and grace. The tail is semi-prehensile, allowing them to balance and grasp branches, navigating the habitat with ease, but it cannot support their body weight.
Diet
Like all capuchins, the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin is an omnivore, eating both plant and animal material. Their diet likely includes seeds, insects and larvae, fruit, flowers, young leaves, young birds, eggs, and invertebrates.
Behavior and Lifestyle
The Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin, like all capuchins, is generally diurnal (active during the day) and primarily arboreal (tree-dwelling). They are most active early in the morning when they can be found foraging for food in the middle canopy of the forest or on the forest floor.
Very few studies have been conducted specifically on the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin. These include specifics regarding their behavior and lifestyle. If we look at other species of white-fronted capuchins, it may be presumed that much of the day is spent foraging for food in groups, while nights are spent sleeping upon the branches of trees. Like other capuchins, the primary mode of locomotion is quadrupedalism, that is, moving on four limbs, though they may also be capable of standing and walking upright.
Besides humans, other predators that target the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin have not been documented. Other capuchin species, however, face threats from jaguars, cougars, coyotes, tayras, snakes, crocodiles, and birds of prey. While studies of this capuchin species are again lacking, it may be assumed that, like other capuchins, they utilize an array of defense techniques to avoid predation. These may include: emitting alarm calls which may vary depending upon the type of predator, remaining vigilant while foraging by staying close together in groups, spending most of their time in trees to avoid ground-based predators, using their natural agility to beat a hasty retreat, using their natural coloration to act as camouflage which allows them to blend in with their tree-based habitat, and selecting habitats that offer better protection from predators, such as dense forests, with plenty of cover and escape routes.
Capuchins are named for their “caps” of hair, which resemble a capuche, the cowl worn by a Capuchin friar, a type of Catholic monk.
The size of the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin’s home range is unknown, but those of white-fronted capuchins as a whole can vary depending on the species or subspecies. Typically, the ranges are fairly large, usually 0.48-0.56 square miles (1.2-1.5 square km).
Among white-fronted capuchins, adult males are notably tolerant of one another in the group, but they are very aggressive toward males belonging to other groups. The presence of adult males seems to lend psychological support to the adult females of a group. No doubt, having such protective males helps to keep the peace, especially when it comes to potential territorial disputes between neighboring groups.
Upon reaching sexual maturity, males will leave to form a group of their own, while females remain with their birth group for life.
As for interactions and associations with other primates, information is severely lacking and requires further research. White-fronted capuchins as a whole frequently travel with squirrel monkeys, and sometimes with black-capped capuchins (S. apella) and Colombian red howlers (Alouatta seniculus). It’s certainly not unreasonable to assume the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin travels alongside at least some of these primates.
Despite the lack of data about Santa Marta white-fronted capuchins, it may be presumed that, like other capuchins, they are VERY smart! Communication among all white-fronted capuchin species is sophisticated, utilizing a repertoire of vocalizations and body gestures that relay information about food sources, potential threats, and social dynamics within a group. This ability to communicate effectively is a testament to their intelligence and social sophistication, allowing for cooperation and coordination in their daily activities. Santa Marta white-fronted capuchins may even mimic the calls of predators to scare away potential competitors and secure food resources for themselves!
As is the case with all capuchins, grooming plays a large role in maintaining strong social bonds among the group. All members groom one another as a means of bonding and reaffirming their status within the group.
Like other capuchins, Santa Marta white-fronted capuchins may mark their territory by spreading glandular secretions, saliva, or other pungent substances onto trees bordering their territory. They also likely engage in self-anointing behavior, or rubbing themselves with secretions or objects found in nature. This behavior is used for a wide variety of purposes, including communication. Objects of choice include mud, plants, and insects. As well as for communication, such actions may be used to kill fungi and their spores, act as insect repellents, relieve the discomfort of insect bites, or for other forms of self-medication.
Once again, data on the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin must be inferred from other white-fronted capuchin species. Like other species of capuchins, the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin is likely polygamous, meaning males and females mate with multiple members of the opposite gender. Similar to the Trinidad white-fronted capuchin (C. trinitatis), they may not have a specific breeding season, but most births likely occur during the dry season.
The length of the gestation (pregnancy) period is not known for white-fronted capuchins, but it is probably around 160 days, like that of the black-capped capuchin. Like other capuchins, it can be presumed that females give birth to a single offspring and become pregnant every one to two years.
As observed with white-fronted capuchins in western Colombia’s El Tupparo National Park, newborns ride positioned sideways over the mothers’ shoulders. However, during the first days, the baby holds on to any part of Mom, such as the base of the tail, the tail itself, the legs, and the arms, before discovering and learning that the position over the shoulders is best and most secure. After several weeks, the baby makes the change from the sideways position over the shoulders to riding on Mom’s back.
All group members take an interest in the newborn and take advantage of any opportunity to examine and look at the baby’s genitals if Mom allows it. It’s unheard of for us, but a common initial bonding mechanism for these capuchins. Over time, the baby will climb up other members of the group, including the adult males who are interested in protecting the little one. Playing behavior is principally seen with a companion, and all group members, from the alpha male, the mother, and all other young members, solicit play with the young one to create and strengthen bonds.
It may be presumed that, similar to other capuchin species, sexual maturity is reached at around four years of age. Upon reaching this milestone, females will stay with their natal group, while males leave in order to form their own group or to attempt to join another.
As fruit-eaters, Santa Marta white-fronted capuchins aid in the regeneration of their forest habitats by dispersing seeds through their feces as they move around the habitat. They also play a role in pollination. Like bees and butterflies, they collect pollen from flowers when they feed on them. They then deposit the pollen on each subsequent flower they visit, thereby pollinating the plants. In addition, they may serve as pest controllers, since a portion of their diet is made up of insects and their larvae. Finally, as a prey species, they also play a role in feeding local predators within their range.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin as Endangered (IUCN, 2015), appearing on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The primary threats facing the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin are habitat loss and fragmentation due to cattle ranching and oil palm agro-industries. The pet trade may also pose an imminent threat to the species, especially in areas where tourism is widespread. Santa Marta white-fronted capuchins are also locally hunted for their meat.
The Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), an international agreement between governments whose goal is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
The Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin is found in a couple of protected areas: the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park and Tayrona National Natural Park. With regard to the first Natural Park, they are found only in a small area in the northwestern part of the park.
Conservation actions needed in order to protect and preserve this little-studied capuchin species include properly enforced land, water, and site/area management. Along with these, further research on the life history and ecology, specifically of the Santa Marta white-fronted capuchin, would be a helpful aid in gathering more information in order to prevent this species from continuing ever closer down the path to extinction.
- https://www.alltheworldsprimattes.org/Members/Home/MasterPrimate.aspx?tid=1252
- https://www.bioexplorer.net/animals/mammals/monkeys/santa-marta-white-fronted-capuchin/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Marta_white-fronted_capuchin
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Nevada_de_Santa_Marta
- https://www.gbif.org/species/7361386
- https://www.iucnredlist/org/species/4084/81282214
- https://www.nathab.com/know-before-you-go/mexico-central-america/costa-rica/wildlife-guide/capuchin
Written by Sienna Weinstein, May 2025