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Potos flavus
The kinkajou, which is not a primate, is related to olingos, coatis, raccoons, the ringtail and cacomistle. It is the only member of the genus Potos. Adults weigh 1.4–4.6 kg (3–10 lbs). Body length is 40–60 cm (16–24 in) and the prehensile tail can measure 40–60 cm (16–24 in). They can turn their feet backwards so that they can ascend and descend trees head first. Their claws are very sharp; scent glands on the sides of their jaws, the throat and abdomen. Their heads are round and fur a honey-brown color. They are nocturnal and arboreal animals, sleeping in dens together during the day. Contrary to many other species, it is the female that leaves a family, with a father and sons remaining behind. When agitated, kinkajous will scream, hiss, sometimes tremble and they can inflict deep bites which may transfer roundworms and bacteria (Kingella potus) that can cause serious disease in humans. They have carnassial teeth and are therefore carnivores, but they far prefer fruit (90% of their diet), also eating leaves, flowers, insects (ants, termites), eggs, small mammals and birds. They are unusual as a mammal that is a pollinator. Leathery patches on the side of their faces capture pollen when they insert their heads in the balsa flowers to get the nectar with their tongues, which can measure five inches(12.7 cm) in length. In captivity, they can live up to 40 years. Kinkajous are not generally considered endangered but are hunted for the pet trade, their fur (to make wallets and horse saddles) and their meat. Honduras has included them in Appendix III of CITES so that exports from that country require an export permit and exports from other countries require a certificate of origin or re-export.
Central and South America, closed-canopy tropical forests, including lowland rainforest, montane forest, dry forest, gallery forest and secondary forest.
These two kinkajous live at the Carolina Tiger Rescue wildlife sanctuary in North Carolina. The female was declawed because her owner thought that would make her less dangerous; however, her bite is still very harmful. Their favorite foods include bananas, papayas and grapes. They like to eat while hanging upside down. See also: http://www.carolinatigerrescue.org/anima... http://www.honoluluzoo.org/kinkajou.htm http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/si... http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t...
Spotted on Jun 24, 2011
Submitted on Feb 10, 2012
4 Comments
That's correct about the declawing involving removal of the bone. I always show a diagram on tours to illustrate what part of the toe bone is removed. Some of the larger cats (leopards, tigers) we have (had) were declawed as well and that is terrible as cats normally walk on their toes so they become flat-footed and suffer pain. Declawing a tiger or leopard doesn't make it any less dangerous.
Very cute!
It saddens me that some people try & keep wild animals as pets - it invariably leads to disaster. I also wish that declawing (of any animal) was banned in the US like it is in most of Europe. People get their cats declawed thinking it is a simple procedure when in fact it involved removing the whole of the end bone in each digit (basically like having someone chop of the ends of your fingers & toes) an agonizing operation with a long recovery time & often causing long-term psychological trauma & behavioral changes.
You're welcome. They are adorable and that is why people get them for pets but they are wild animals and shouldn't be pets. At the wildlife sanctuary they are classified among the most dangerous residents since their bite could result in such a serious infection. No one handles them even though they kind of look like long-tailed teddy bears or something. We'd love to see you at CTR - do come to visit!
Love it - so cute and you captured it wonderfully. Hope to make it to the tiger rescue the next time I go to NC to visit my folks. Thank you for all the wonderful information about this adorable little critter.