Why Are Juvenile Capuchins Kidnapping Infants of Another Species?

What Scientists Are Observing

In recent field observations, juvenile capuchins in parts of Central and South America have been caught doing something odd—even disturbing: stealing baby animals from other species. These aren’t isolated incidents; researchers have documented capuchins abducting baby squirrels, birds, and even kittens in areas where humans and wildlife mix.

Possible Explanations

Why are they doing this? The leading theories range from misguided maternal instincts to simple curiosity. Juvenile capuchins—especially females—are often seen practicing "mothering" behaviors with sticks or leaves. Extending that behavior to actual baby animals could be an eerie form of play or learning gone too far.

Play Behavior or Power Display?

Another interpretation is social dominance. By kidnapping an infant animal and parading it around, the capuchin may be asserting social status or seeking attention from group members. Some researchers even suggest these actions could be a twisted form of social experimentation—testing group boundaries or even manipulating emotions.

Are the Infants Harmed?

Unfortunately, the outcomes are often grim. While some capuchins show affection—grooming or cradling the stolen infants—most of the time the animals don’t survive long. They may be dropped, neglected, or worse. This has raised ethical questions about observing versus intervening in such behavior.

Could This Be Cultural?

Just like humans, capuchins exhibit cultural behavior—habits that spread through learning rather than instinct. It's possible this kidnapping is a localized behavior passed down among specific troops. If so, it tells us that primate "culture" may be more complex and sometimes more brutal than we thought.

Does This Have Evolutionary Value?

There’s a long-standing question in biology about what behaviors confer evolutionary advantages. While stealing another species’ infant may not help directly, the act of caring for something helpless may train young monkeys to be better caregivers or group members later. It’s nature’s uncomfortable way of learning by doing.

Conclusion

The behavior may seem bizarre or even cruel by human standards, but for capuchins it might be a mix of instinct, social development, and even emerging culture. As we learn more about their cognitive complexity, we may need to rethink what we consider “natural” behavior in the animal kingdom.