White-headed Capuchin

Description:

I didn't get to close because these little monkeys were aggravated and mean, but I'd put their size at about half a meter in body length (not counting the tail. Most every monkey had a full white face, chest and arms. The rest of their bodies were dark brown/black. Very loud.

Habitat:

These Capuchin are trapped on a small island called Isla de Monos, a short boat ride away from the much larger island of Ometepe on Lake Colcibolca. There is much tall grass and native trees, but I could not see much in the way of food. As the lake was a meter or so above regular levels at the time, the water was high into the trees on the small island and these monkeys were quick to come right out to the edge of the treetops and swing at us on our the kayak.

Notes:

There are two Islas de Monos on Lake Colcibolca, one much closer to Granada. In both cases, the local story is that these monkeys are descendents of pets left behind by former residents - as opposed to the local howler monkeys on the southern volcano of Ometepe (I was fortunate to hear them on a hike, but could not get close enough to photograph them). For the pictured monkeys in particular, the locals attribute their anger to being trapped on a tiny island, and to being very inbred.