The name is derived from the cap of dark hair on the monkey's crown, which resembles the cowl worn by a Capuchin monk. Found in the tropical forests of Central and South America, the Capuchin is about 12 to 22 inches long with a hairy, slightly prehensile tail of about the same length. These small members of the order of Primates are active by day and travel in troops, mainly in the tops of tall trees, feeding on fruits and small animals. The dominant male in a troop's social hierarchy breaks up fights between other troop members, keeps watch for enemies and puts himself between the troop and intruders.
Capuchins are among the small number of primates which have usable, opposable thumbs.