Varied White-Fronted Capuchin, Cebus versicolor
VARIED WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN
Cebus versicolor
Geographic Distribution and Habitat
The varied white-fronted capuchin, also known as the varied capuchin, lives in tropical lowland rainforests, seasonally flooded forests, and palm swamps in the Magdalena River Valley of northern Colombia. This area is also known as the Middle Magdalena River Basin, Middle Magdalena Valley, and Middle Magdalena Basin.
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 varied white-fronted capuchins are proud members of the gracile capuchin monkeys genus.
In addition, the varied white-fronted capuchin had been described as a subspecies of the Humboldt’s white-fronted capuchin (C. albifrons), until genetic analysis by Jean Boubli in 2012 revealed them to be a separate species.
Finally, varied white-fronted capuchins are just one of a total of 10 member species to comprise a group of capuchins known as white-fronted capuchins. Much information can overlap and be hard to differentiate regarding these species, so, beware!
Size, Weight, and Lifespan
The varied white-fronted capuchin has a head-body length between 17.7-20 inches (45-50.5 cm), with a tail length of 17 inches (42 cm). They do not appear to exhibit sexual dimorphism, or noticeable physical differences between genders, except for potentially, their weight. Why potentially? There are no measurements available specifically regarding the varied white-fronted capuchin. White-fronted capuchins, as a whole, do exhibit differences in weight between genders, with males usually weighing an average of 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg), while females weigh an average of 6.4 pounds (2.9 kg).
Appearance
Like other capuchin monkeys, the varied white-fronted capuchin is furry! Overall, the species has cream-colored fur, including light fur on the temple, forehead, chin, throat, and on the sides of the face and neck. This contrasts with their back, forearms, and the front of the legs, which are reddish in coloration. A dark brown “cap” tops the head, and you’ll see in the Fun Facts section further down how this cap contributes to the namesake of capuchins as a whole. The eyes are dark chocolate brown.
They are slender, with long limbs enabling them to travel around their tree-dominated habitat with remarkable agility and grace. As is the case with all capuchins, the tail is semi-prehensile, allowing them to balance and grab onto branches to navigate the habitat with ease. They cannot, however, hang hands-free with their tails bearing their entire body weight as those monkeys, like spider monkeys with fully prehensile tails can do.
Diet
Like other capuchins, the varied white-fronted capuchin is an omnivore, with a varied diet including both plant and animal material. The white-fronted capuchin primarily consumes ripe fruits and invertebrates such as insects and their larvae but has also been documented eating flowers, buds, nuts, eggs, and small vertebrates. Their venture into human agricultural lands for crop raids has also resulted in their local persecution by farmers in the area.
Also like other capuchins, varied white-fronted capuchins use tools in their quest to stuff their stomachs. They have been observed using sticks, rocks, and other objects as tools to crack hard-shelled nuts open and fish for insects hidden deep inside crevices.
Behavior and Lifestyle
The varied white-fronted capuchin is diurnal, being most active during the day, and spends time primarily in the canopy of the trees, making them an arboreal species. They have been documented descending to the ground, especially during the dry season when there are fewer fruits to be found.
Few studies have been conducted specifically on the varied white-fronted capuchin. This includes specifics regarding their behavior and lifestyle. It also doesn’t help that the varied white-fronted capuchin has been described as a species complex! What does this mean? A species complex is a group of closely related organisms that are SO similar in appearance and other features, that the boundaries between them are often unclear! You know what that means: lots of information having to be inferred from other species of capuchin! Keep this in mind for the rest of this profile.
If we look at other capuchin species, such as the Humboldt’s white-fronted capuchin, it can be presumed that much of the day is spent foraging for food in groups, while nights are spent sleeping upon the branches of the trees, as opposed to within nests. Like other capuchins, the primary mode of locomotion is quadrupedalism, or moving on four limbs, though they may also be capable of standing and walking upright.
Besides locals hunting them for bushmeat, likely predators of the varied white-fronted capuchin include various birds of prey, jaguars, boa constrictors, and tayras. While studies on the varied white-fronted capuchin are rare, it has been hypothesized that, like other capuchin monkeys, they utilize an array of defense techniques to avoid predation. These may include emitting an alarm call which may vary depending upon the type of predator, remaining vigilant while foraging by sticking close to one another as a group, spending most of their time in the trees to avoid ground-based predators, using their natural agility in the trees to beat a hasty retreat, using camouflage 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 home range of varied white-fronted capuchins is unknown, but those of white-fronted capuchins as a whole can vary depending on the subspecies. Typically, they are fairly large, usually 0.48-0.56 square miles (1.2-1.5 square km).
Varied white-fronted capuchins live in multi-male, multi-female groups of around 20 individuals, including juveniles and infants. The social structure of a group is complex, and the backbone of their survival. Both genders form linear hierarchies, with males dominant to females. However, groups are characterized by a nuanced hierarchy, as opposed to an overt, obvious one that can be clearly seen during observation. The pecking order in a group dictates interactions among group members, influencing everything from foraging to childcare. Social bonds are maintained and strengthened through grooming and shared activities, which are also used to maintain peace and cohesion among group members. Food-sharing is also a practice observed among varied white-fronted capuchins, especially between a mother and her baby, and is another example of strengthening the bond between kin.
Among white-fronted capuchins, adult males are notably tolerant of one another in the group, but they are very aggressive towards 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 varied white-fronted capuchin travels alongside these primates.
Despite the lack of data on varied white-fronted capuchins, it can 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. Varied white-fronted capuchins may even mimic the calls of predators to scare away potential competitors, and secure food resources for themselves!
Like other capuchins, varied white-fronted capuchins have been observed marking their territory by spreading glandular secretions, saliva, or other pungent substances onto trees bordering their territory. They also exhibit self-anointing behavior, or rubbing themselves with secretions or objects found in nature, which 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 a repellent, or as self-medication.
Once again, data on the varied white-fronted capuchin must be inferred from other white-fronted capuchin species. Like other species of capuchins, the varied 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. Female varied white-fronted capuchins 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, 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 her 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 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 can 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 will leave to form a group of their own or attempt to join another one.
As fruit-eaters, varied white-fronted capuchins aid in the regeneration of their forest habitats by dispersing seeds through their feces as they move around the habitat. They may also play a role in pollination. Like bees and butterflies, they collect pollen from flowers when consuming 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 varied white-fronted capuchin as Endangered (IUCN, 2020), appearing on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The varied white-fronted capuchin monkey is highly threatened in the middle Magdalena region in Colombia partly due to prevalent habitat loss as a result of large-scale cattle ranching, oil palm agro-industries, and mining. Most of the natural ecosystems within their historic distribution have been transformed, and less than 20% of their habitat remains in the lowland forests and wetlands of the Magdalena River basin. Human-wildlife conflict due to foraging crops, the local pet trade, and local hunting for bushmeat are also important threats to the varied white-fronted capuchin.
The varied 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.
Unfortunately, the varied white-fronted capuchin isn’t found in any national protected area in Colombia. The Serranía de San Lucas, an unofficial forest reserve that has been recommended for protection would potentially safeguard a significant population of the varied white-fronted capuchin, should it successfully be declared to be an official protected area. Such action is a conservation priority for this endangered primate.
Along with properly enforced area protection, further research on the life history and ecology specifically of the varied white-fronted capuchin would be a helpful aid in gathering more information in order to prevent this species from creeping ever closer along the path to extinction.
- https://www.alltheworldsprimates.org/Members/Home/MasterPrimate.aspx?tid=1254
- https://biodb.com/species/white-fronted-capuchin/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gracile_capuchin_monkey
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humboldt%27s_white-fronted_capuchin
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Magdalena_Valley
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serran%C3%ADa_de_San_Lucas
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varied_white-fronted_capuchin
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-fronted_capuchin
- https://www.gbif.org/species/7832196
- https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39952/81282279
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jairo-Munoz-Delgado/publication/363552718_An_exploratory_study_of_cooperation_food-sharing_behaviour_in_wild_varied_white-fronted_capuchin_monkeys_Cebus_versicolor_in_Central_Colombia/links/64b6f28195bbbe0c6e4675e8/An-exploratory-study-of-cooperation-food-sharing-behaviour-in-wild-varied-white-fronted-capuchin-monkeys-Cebus-versicolor-in-Central-Colombia.pdf
Written by Sienna Weinstein, March 2025