DrunkMonkey 0 #1 February 9, 2005 Kinkajou http://www.honoluluzoo.org/images/sugarbear.jpg PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Scientific name: Procyonidae Potos flavus The kinkajou belongs to the raccoon family and is directly related to the red panda that lives in the Himalayas and China, the olingo, the civet or ring-tailed cat and cacomistle, which are New World residents. The kinkajou and olingo are very similar in appearance, often being difficult to tell apart when seen in the wild. It has a rounded head, small ears, sharp teeth, a long body, short legs, long tail and a soft, thick, uniform brown fur. Their body length is about 16-22 inches (42-57cm) and they weigh up to 6 pounds (2.72kg). It is sometimes referred to as a honeybear because of the color of its coat and in Belize it is called a "night walker". The kinkajou has a long prehensile tail that is used for balance, as a fifth hand for climbing and for snuggling as it sleeps. It is the only member of its family with a prehensile tail. Their tails are about 15-22 inches (40-56cm) in length. But unlike some monkeys, it does not use its tail to grasp food. Monkeys' tails have sensitive "tactile pads" that kinkajou tails lack. The kinkajou also has a slender 5 inch long tongue (12.7cm), which is used in reaching nectar and honey. The bottom of the foot and clawed toes are used for hanging while eating. They have bare palms like monkeys. DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT: The kinkajou can be found in tropical forests from Southern Mexico to Southern Brazil. It is commonly seen at night in the tropical forests of Belize. It utilizes the same ecological niche by night that the new world monkeys use by day. The kinkajou spends most of its life in the upper and middle canopy of the tropical forest (arboreal). BEHAVIOR: Sugar Bear is trying out his new hammock, that was a present for his 39th birthday. It is able to move very quickly through the tree tops and will jump from tree to tree when necessary. At night, their large eyes reflect light for a great distance when a light is shined at them. During the day it will find a hollowed out limb or tree trunk to sleep in, often with the front feet covering its eyes. They mark their territory and travel routes with special scent marking from glands located on the chest and belly. They are found alone or sometimes in small groups. Enemies of the Kinkajou are the Fox, Tayra, Margay, Jaguar, Ocelot, and the Jaguarundi. DIET: They feed mostly on fruit, insects and flowers and nectar. REPRODUCTION and GROWTH: Breeding takes place throughout the year. The male has an enlarged bone that protrudes at the inside of his wrist, which he rubs the females sides with during mating. This bone is usually bare skinned in the male, but fur covered in the female. Gestation is from 112 to 118 days after which one to two cubs are born, however, one cub is the norm. When a female kinkajou feels that her cub is in danger, she will carry it upside down. STATUS: The kinkajou is not currently threatened although in many places they are hunted for their dense fur and for food. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #2 February 9, 2005 Zoboomafoo!!!! Edit: I meant to say: They had those lil guys on Zoboomafoo a while ago. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
