Central America Wildlife - Kinkajou
Thursday, 10 June 2010 07:49 | 
Written by Marina K. Villatoro |
They are also known as honey bear, because when tin captivity they seem to enjoy eating honey. Kinkajous are related with the raccoon and coati. The kinkajou's woolly fur consists of an outer coat of gold or brownish-gray overlapping a gray undercoat.
They are also known as honey bear, because when tin captivity they seem to enjoy eating honey. Kinkajous are related with the raccoon and coati. The kinkajou's woolly fur consists of an outer coat of gold or brownish-gray overlapping a gray undercoat.
The kinkajou's woolly fur consists of an outer coat of gold or brownish-gray overlapping a gray undercoat. Studies have shown that 90% of their diet consists primarily of ripe fruit. They may play an important role in seed dispersal. Leaves and flowers make up much of the other 10% of their diet. Also they sometimes eat insects, particularly ants.
An average adult kinkajou weighs 4-7 Pounds and an average adult body length is 40-60 cm. In addition to body length, average tail length is 40-55 cm. They normally live 23 - 24 years, but in a Hawaiian zoo they had a kinkajou that lived for 40 years. These nocturnal animals also have a short-haired, fully prehensile tail like some New World monkeys, which it uses as a "fifth hand" in climbing. Scent glands near the mouth, on the throat, and on the belly allow kinkajous to mark their territory and their travel routes.
The kinkajou's peak activity is usually between about 7:00 PM and midnight, and again an hour before dawn. During daylight hours, kinkajous sleep in tree hollows or in shaded tangles of leaves, avoiding direct sunlight. Also, kinkajous do not have a specific season for breeding. They breed throughout the year. Female kinkajous give birth to one or occasionally two small babies after a gestation period of 112 to 118 days.
This arboreal mammal is not an endangered species, though it is seldom seen by people because of its strict nocturnal habits. However, they are hunted for the illegal pet trade, for their fur and for their meat. They are forest mammals, native to Central and South America.
They are also known as honey bear, because when tin captivity they seem to enjoy eating honey. Kinkajous are related with the raccoon and coati. The kinkajou's woolly fur consists of an outer coat of gold or brownish-gray overlapping a gray undercoat.
The kinkajou's woolly fur consists of an outer coat of gold or brownish-gray overlapping a gray undercoat. Studies have shown that 90% of their diet consists primarily of ripe fruit. They may play an important role in seed dispersal. Leaves and flowers make up much of the other 10% of their diet. Also they sometimes eat insects, particularly ants.
An average adult kinkajou weighs 4-7 Pounds and an average adult body length is 40-60 cm. In addition to body length, average tail length is 40-55 cm. They normally live 23 - 24 years, but in a Hawaiian zoo they had a kinkajou that lived for 40 years. These nocturnal animals also have a short-haired, fully prehensile tail like some New World monkeys, which it uses as a "fifth hand" in climbing. Scent glands near the mouth, on the throat, and on the belly allow kinkajous to mark their territory and their travel routes.
The kinkajou's peak activity is usually between about 7:00 PM and midnight, and again an hour before dawn. During daylight hours, kinkajous sleep in tree hollows or in shaded tangles of leaves, avoiding direct sunlight. Also, kinkajous do not have a specific season for breeding. They breed throughout the year. Female kinkajous give birth to one or occasionally two small babies after a gestation period of 112 to 118 days.
This arboreal mammal is not an endangered species, though it is seldom seen by people because of its strict nocturnal habits. However, they are hunted for the illegal pet trade, for their fur and for their meat. They are forest mammals, native to Central and South America.
About the Author:
Marina K. Villatoro, has lived in Central America - Costa Rica and Guatemala for over 10 years. She's traveled these parts extensively and now loves to organize vacations to these amazing parts of the world. With her first hand experience, she can recommend the best options for you. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!