Northern Olingo

## About

A Northern olingo in a tree

The northern olingo ***(Bassaricyon gabbii)*** is the most commonly sighted species of olingo and lives in regions of central America. Northern olingos have golden brown, soft fur that greatly resembles that of the kinkajou ***(Potos flavus)***, as both the northern olingo and the kinkajou are part of the same family. The hands of the olingo superficially resemble those of a primate, and because of this, olingos often confused for monkeys to the untrained eye. Olingos have long tails, which greatly aid in the animal's arboreal lifestyle, allowing olingos to balance and retain mobility in trees however, unlike the kinkajou the olingo's tail is not at all prehensile. Much like other procyonids, the ears and eyes of the olingo are greatly exaggerated in size, and are extremely efficient in hearing and seeing ability respectively. Previously, it has been suggested that four other olingos actually represent subspecies of the Northern olingo. Currently one of the four species has been proven to be a Western lowland olingo, whilst the remainders appear to possibly be legitimate subspecies however, further analysis is required. Northern olingos can grow to a length of 41cm (16in) and weigh 1.2kg-1.4kg (2.6-3.1lbs), making them one of the larger olingo species.

## Diet

Northern olingos are almost entirely frugivorous, eating a large variety of fruits, particularly figs. Olingos have also been observed drinking the sugary nectar from balsa trees ***(Ochroma pyramidale)***. Other than fruit and sap, olingos often eat large amounts of plant matter, making them partially herbivorous.

## Conservation Status

Northern olingos face very little threats and are currently recorded as least concern by the IUCN. Continued deforestation of the olingo's Central American habitat, has lead to the species being considered to be declining however, this threat is only said to be effecting individual populations as opposed to the entire species. Other than deforestation, the northern olingo does not face many threats, as they are only being effected at a small and controllable level.

## Range and Population

Northern olingos are native to heavily forested regions of Central America, from regions of Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama, which is a characteristic biome in which all olingo species can be found. There has also been unconfirmed reports of the Northern olingo occurring as far north as Guatemala however, these reports are unconfirmed and likely misidentified kinkajous. As northern olingos are an arboreal species, these forested regions are essential to the animal's survival, and thus meaning that olingos do not occur outside of these environments. The current population of the Northern olingo is unconfirmed as they are an elusive species due to their nocturnal lifestyle. It is known that the general olingo population is declining, but not at a fast rate.

## Behaviour

Northern olingos are a nocturnal species that is almost entirely active at night. Olingos also rely entirely on an arboreal lifestyle in order for locomotion, rarely coming to the forest floor. Northern olingos are thought to be solitary but have been sighted in pairs, possibly implying that they are a more sociable species than previously considered however, male olingos are often reported to be aggressive towards one another in captivity, supporting the idea that females do not have more than a singular mate. Female olingos also care for infant olingos and males do not play a role in parenting. Though olingos share a family with the kinkajous, they are often not found in the same trees as the larger kinkajous chase them out of trees in their territories. Unfortunately not much else is known about the behavioural characteristics of the northern olingo.

### Relationship with Humans

Northern olingos do not interact with humans outside of captivity often, and do not exhibit aggressive behaviour unless threatened.

## In Captivity

As opposed to kinkajous, northern olingos are much less plentiful in zoos, only being exhibited in Bioparque Ukumari, Colombia. It seems apparent that when compared to kinkajous, olingos are favoured less by zoological institutes as zoo specimens, as they are much less popular to the general public. However similarly to kinkajous, northern olingos are sold as exotic pets though, these individuals are often wild caught, becoming more of a threat to the general population of the species.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/48637946/45196211
* Olingo | Britannica - https://www.britannica.com/animal/olingo
* Northern Olingo | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern\_olingo
* Northern Olingo | Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bassaricyon\_gabbii/
* The Kinkajou vs. the Olingo | Pets on Mom - https://animals.mom.com/how-are-giant-pandas-different-from-red-pandas-5133803.html
* Bushy-Tailed Olingo | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/bushy-tailed-olingo-5102/