How is the high manual coordination in White-Faced Capuchins specifically characterized?
They have highly developed hands with the ability to move each finger separately, enabling precision grips.
The high level of intelligence noted in the White-Faced Capuchin is physically supported by exceptional fine motor control, particularly evident in their hands. This dexterity is quantified by their ability to articulate and move each individual finger independently. This complex range of motion is what facilitates the use of precision grips, such as picking up very small food items or objects precisely between the thumb and the index finger. This physical capability is crucial because it directly underpins their noted tool use; this manual coordination allows them to manipulate stones effectively to crack hard-shelled nuts or use twigs with accuracy when probing into crevices for sustenance, providing a significant physical advantage in resource exploitation.
