Kinkajou
Nocturnal arboreal mammal with a prehensile tail.
The kinkajou (Potos flavus) is a mammal of the family Procyonidae, native to tropical rainforests of Mexico, Central and South America. It is the only member of the genus Potos and is also known as the honey bear, though it is not closely related to any other tree-dwelling mammal group. Despite being arboreal, it is seldom seen by people due to its strict nocturnal habits.
- scientific_name
- Potos flavus
- family
- Procyonidae
- native_range
- Mexico, Central and South America
- habitat
- Closed-canopy tropical forests
- diet
- Mostly frugivorous
- lifespan_in_captivity
- Up to 40 years
- conservation_status
- Appendix III of CITES (Honduras)
Lore & Background
The kinkajou's common name derives from French quincajou, based on the Algonquian name for the wolverine. It has several regional names, including honey bear, night ape, and night walker. In Suriname, Dutch names include nachtaap, rolbeer, and rolstaartbeer. Local names in Portuguese and Spanish include jupará, yapará, huasa, cuchi cuchi, leoncillo, marta, and perro de monte, many from indigenous languages such as Old Tupi. The taxonomy has been complicated; A. M. Husson noted that Lemur flavus was a composite species based on Schreber's specimen of the mongoose lemur and Pennant's specimen of the kinkajou.
Reader's Guide
The kinkajou is significant as the only member of the genus Potos and as the sister group to all other Procyonidae, having diverged 24 to 21.6 million years ago. Its evolutionary history includes entering South America via the Great American Interchange after the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. The kinkajou is hunted for the pet trade, its skin (used for wallets and horse saddles), and its meat. Deforestation is a potential threat. Its inclusion in Appendix III of CITES by Honduras regulates exports. The species is distinguished by its prehensile tail, extensible tongue, and lack of anal scent glands, and it resembles neotropical monkeys in having a prehensile tail and forward-facing eyes, but differs in dentition and foot fur. Its legacy includes being a unique arboreal carnivoran with remarkable manipulatory abilities.
Did You Know?
- The kinkajou is the only member of the genus Potos.
- The kinkajou may live up to 40 years in captivity.
- Its prehensile tail is covered with thick fur up to the end and is used as a 'fifth hand' in climbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kinkajou?
Kinkajou is the sole living species of the genus Potos, a strictly nocturnal, tree-dwelling mammal found in the tropical rainforests of Mexico, Central America, and South America. It is occasionally nicknamed the 'honey bear,' though it shares no close kinship with any other group of arboreal mammals.
What is Kinkajou's scientific classification?
Its binomial name is Potos flavus, placing it within the family Procyonidae. It stands alone as the only extant member of its genus, giving it a distinctive spot in the procyonid lineage.
What does Kinkajou eat?
Although it falls under the broader carnivore/insectivore heading, Kinkajou is predominantly frugivorous, relying on fruit for most of its nutrition. It forages high in the canopy of closed-canopy tropical forests, using its prehensile tail for balance among the branches.
Where does Kinkajou live and why do people rarely spot it?
It ranges across closed-canopy tropical forests from Mexico down through Central and South America. Its exclusively nocturnal activity combined with its high position in the treetops makes casual human sightings exceedingly uncommon.
How long can Kinkajou live?
In captivity, Kinkajou individuals have been recorded surviving up to 40 years, which is notably long for a small arboreal mammal. In the wild, precise longevity data is scarce because the species is so elusive and rarely observed.
More in Carnivores And Insectivores 1-17
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