Kinkajou

ANIMAL:
Kinkajou Potos flavus

Type of Animal:
Raccoon

Habitat:
Tropical forest, deciduous forest, plantations, savanna forest, tropical savanna

Location(s):
S Mexico to S Brazil & N Bolivia

Appearance:
Round head, big eyes, short dark brown to black pointed snout, short limbs, small rounded ears, long prehensile tail, fur color ranges from tawny olive/wood brown/yellowish tawny on upper areas to buff/tawny/brownish yellow on lower areas, short woolly dense fur, often golden-brown to grayish-brown coloration overall

Food/Diet:
Nectar, fruit, honey, pollen, melons, berries, flowers, blossoms, insects, insect larvae, leaves, greens, vegetables, vegetation, herbs, legumes, bark, eggs, birds, small mammals, frogs

Status in Wild:
Stable

Conservation:
Breeding in zoos, wildlife centers, & private breeders

Lifestyle:
Solitary or small groups 

Additional Info:

Called:
Male: Boar
Female: Sow
Young: Kit/Cub
Group: Band/Troop
 
Weight:
Adult: 3.1-10.1 lbs
Young: 1.6 lbs

Gestation:
4 months

Life Span:
20 years in wild, up to 30 years in captivity

Height:
Male: 1.3-1.8 ft
Female: 1.2-1.8 ft

Body Length:
Male: 1.3-1.8 ft
Female: 1.2-1.8 ft

Tail Length:
Male: 1.4-1.9 ft
Female: 1.3-1.9 ft

Main predators are felids, raptors, boas, tayras, & foxes.
 
These animals are highly arboreal, spending much of their time in the trees.
 
Sexually mature at a year old.
 
While common, they’re rarely seen due to nocturnal lifestyle.
 
Breed year-round, giving birth to 1-2 young. Eyes open at 1-2 weeks old, eating solid food at 2 months old, & mastering climbing at 3 months old.
 
Eyes highly reflective of light, giving them bright orange eyeshine.
 
Long prehensile tail acts as additional arm, providing balance/holding branches when moving through trees as well as blanket when animal sleeps.
 
Territory marked using glands near mouth/throat/belly.
 
Due to diet, they’re important pollinators.

Fun Fact(s):
Sometimes kept as pets-these animals not for beginner pet owners due to nocturnal habits & unpredictability.
 
1 of only 2 mammals in order Carnivora to have prehensile tail.
 
Scientific name translates to “golden drinker.”
 
Often called “Honey Bears” due to claws/appearance & love for honey. Other names are Night Walker, Night Ape, Micoleon (Spanish for “Lion Monkey”), & La Llorona (Spanish for “crying woman).”
 
These animals can be very noisy at night, barking, screaming, hissing, high-pitch squeaking, & crying.
 
5-inch long tongue used to extract certain food items.

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