Full Grown Capuchin Monkey: Size, Appearance, Price & More

Elizabeth Craig

Dec 9, 2023

Capuchin monkeys make intriguing pets, but they require a large commitment of time, money, and care. Here is a guide to fully grown capuchins, covering their size, appearance, personality, care needs, behaviors, costs and more so you can determine if owning one is the right decision for you.

Size at Full Growth

Male capuchins reach sexual maturity at 5-7 years old and females at 4-6 years old. At this stage, they are considered fully grown. On average, a full-size capuchin monkey will be:

Length: 12-18 inches from head to tail, not including the tail
Height: 8-12 inches tall when standing
Weight: 1.5-4 pounds

Their tails can add an additional 12-18 inches to their overall length. While size varies between individuals, females tend to be slightly smaller than males.

Appearance at Full Growth

Capuchins are small monkeys with compact bodies and brownish coats. As adults, their fur becomes thicker and develops more of a tousled, shaggy appearance. Other notable physical characteristics include:

Pointed face with short muzzle
Nails instead of claws for grasping
Prehensile tail used for balance, carrying objects and suspensory climbing
Naked skin on hands, feet, nose and ears
Variations in fur color from tan to dark brown

Their facial features become more defined with age, enhancing their mischievous, intelligent expressions.

Personality at Full Growth

Capuchins reach emotional maturity around the same age as physical maturity. In general, adult capuchins have very energetic, playful and social personalities. They enjoy:

Interacting with and playing games with their human owners
Manipulating objects through problem-solving activities
Chattering and making vocalizations to communicate
Grooming one another for bonding
Exploring new areas, surfaces and puzzles

However, they can also display territorial behaviors and aggression if not properly socialized and trained from a young age. Patience and consistency is needed for managing an adult capuchin's personality.

Price of a Fully Grown Capuchin Monkey

Acquiring a capuchin monkey that has already reached sexual maturity and full size typically costs $8,000–$15,000 depending on age, sex, training and disposition. This is more expensive than a younger capuchin since it does not require the same long-term investment in housing, care and socialization when hand-raised from infancy.

Adult capuchins also often come with an established relationship with their previous handlers, increasing their chances of adjusting well to a new home environment.

Food and Feeding of a Fully Grown Capuchin

Mature capuchins have high energy and nutritional needs to maintain their compact, muscular bodies. A proper diet for an adult includes:

Fresh fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, grapes
Vegetables like carrots, broccoli, spinach, green beans
Lean proteins like hard-boiled eggs, nuts, seeds
A high-quality monkey chow or biscuits

Feeding amounts will vary but plan to provide 3-4 cups of produce, 1-2 tbsp of protein and 1/4 cup of chow daily. Supplements such as vitamins and minerals may also be needed.

Lifespan of a Capuchin Monkey

Capuchins can live 20-30 years when properly cared for in captivity. As they age into their late teens and 20s, their activity levels may decrease slightly but they retain their engaging personalities.

Maintaining optimal health through a balanced diet, exercise, mental enrichment and regular veterinary care helps capuchins achieve their full lifespan potential as pets.

Health Considerations at Full Growth

As lifelong exotic pets, adult capuchins may develop some age-related conditions:

Dental problems like plaque buildup if not provided with hard chews and dental treats
Weight gain if overfed or not exercised adequately
Arthritis or joint issues from years of acrobatic play
Eye and ear issues can occur without proper medical treatment

It is important to work closely with an exotic veterinarian for regular wellness exams and monitoring an older capuchin's health.

Care and Needs of a Fully Grown Capuchin

Maintaining a capuchin at sexual maturity takes diligent care in the following areas:

Housing

A large, spacious enclosure is required - ideally an entire room of 6x6x6 feet or larger. It should have platforms, perches and toys of various textures for stimulation.

Nutrition

As mentioned, an adult diet consists of fresh foods plus commercial chow or biscuits. Supplements may be needed. Fresh water must always be available.

Socialization

Adult capuchins need 2+ hours of direct one-on-one interaction outside their enclosure daily. They are highly intelligent and need mental and physical challenges.

Grooming

Brushing the fur 2-3 times per week keeps it healthy. Nails should be trimmed every few months with positive conditioning.

Cleaning

Thoroughly sanitize housing and play areas daily due to risk of disease transmission. Remove all waste promptly.

Cost of Owning an Adult Capuchin

Long-term capuchin ownership requires substantial financial means:

$8,000+ initial purchase price for a trained adult
$5,000-10,000 per year covering housing, food, toys, veterinary care
Monkey-proof home insurance and liability coverage necessary
$100-300 per month estimated minimum recurring costs long-term

Are you prepared to commit up to $30,000 over the 20+ year lifespan for proper care of a fully grown monkey?

Behavior Changes as Capuchins Mature

As capuchins age into adulthood, some subtle behavioral shifts may occur:

Their playfulness remains but it is not as rough or "puppy-like" as when young
Aggression and territorial displays emerge more often without socialization
Independence increases as they are less reliant on human caregivers
Strong bonding forms primarily with one specific human or other animals
They become more set in routines and resistant to changes in environment

Patience, understanding their needs and positive reinforcement training are keys to a well-adjusted adult capuchin.

Notable Characteristics of Adult Capuchins

Some of the most remarkable attributes of fully grown capuchin monkeys include:

Exceptional intelligence - capable of problem-solving, complex tool use
Highly dexterous hands used for manipulating objects
Agile tree-dwellers enjoying suspensory movement
Extremely social primates preferring companions
Emotional intelligence forming close bonds with other animals and people
Inquisitive, playful personalities into adulthood
Expressive faces and vocal communication skills
Curious problem-solvers who enjoy puzzles, challenges and learning new skills

Adult capuchins have minds as nimble as their acrobatic bodies. Their trainability continues advancing throughout life when engaged daily. However, providing a stimulating captive lifestyle comparable to their complex wild social groups also comes with heavy responsibilities for longterm care.

Is an Adult Capuchin the Right Pet For You?

While capuchins have appealing traits, their needs must be seriously evaluated:

Do you have the means, space and time for a 20+ year commitment?
Are you prepared for a $30,000+ longterm monetary investment?
Is your household stable and able to meet its dietary, social, grooming and training needs?
Have you researched all legal ownership requirements in your state?
Are you willing to consult an exotics veterinarian regularly?

Capuchins are highly intelligent, engaging pets - but also extremely time-intensive. Improper care jeopardizes animal welfare. Make an informed decision ensuring its lifetime needs are something you can fulfill with utmost dedication before adopting a fully grown monkey.

With the right owner and living environment however, a mature capuchin's unique qualities of companionship and intellectual stimulation make them very special, long-term exotic pets.