With an impressive debut on Captain Hector Barbossa's shoulder, Jack the Monkey was an unforgettable character in the movie "The Pirates of the Caribbean." The film has made the Panamanian white-faced capuchin that played the role of Jack the Monkey, a popular topic on social media.

The Panamanian white-faced capuchin is one of the most intelligent monkeys in the world. Often closely associated with humans, it is traditionally kept by organ grinders. It has also been spotted using tools to obtain food.

This medium-sized monkey is native to the forests of Central America. It usually weighs up to 3.9 kilograms and has a height between 33.5 to 45.3 centimeters.

The Panamanian white-faced capuchin has fascinating social behaviors. Communication between individuals in a group has many forms involving a wide range of facial expressions and vocalizations. One of their strangest practices is known as hand-sniffing. An individual would stick its fingers in the nose of another monkey, who would also respond in the same manner. 

It is also observed that the capuchin practice something known as "urine washing," in which the monkey rubs urine on its feet.

Although this cute little monkey is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the capuchin population has been decreasing. The drop in numbers is partly due to the animal being frequently captured for pet trade and also due to the loss of habitat by deforestation.

Read more about other monkeys: Monkey Mania

(Cover photo via VCG)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)