Why Capuchin Monkeys?
Capuchins are among the most intelligent and friendly of monkeys. They range in size from thirteen to twenty-two inches long and weigh between three and eleven pounds. Their tails are about the same length as their small bodies. Female capuchins are more suitable as helpers than male capuchins because they are more controllable and bite less readily. These tiny helpers can live for thirty to forty years, and can be of service for a long time. In comparison, a guide dog, trained to help the blind, has a life span of about ten years. And it costs the same amount ($25,000) to train the dog as it does to train a capuchin. The idea to train monkeys for this task is relatively new–it first began in 1977.
