Kinkajou

## About

A kinkajou in a tree.

The kinkajou ***(Potos flavus)*** otherwise known as the honey bear is a small member of the Procyonidae family native to Central America and parts of South America. The kinkajou is known to have a long prehensile tail, greatly adapted to climbing through the canopy of tropical forested areas, whilst maintaining balance and dexterity. They have acute hearing appointed to their well rounded ears that goes with their short muzzles. Kinkajous belong to the same genus that contains other South American arboreal mammals such as; coatis ***(Nasua narica)***, cacomistles ***(Bassariscus)*** and northern olingo ***(Bassaricyon gabbii)***. Because of the Kinkajou's appearance, they are often mistaken by people as primates though they are far of it nor are they related to ferrets or possums. An adult kinkajou can reach up to 40–60cm (15-23in) and weigh up to 1.4–4.6kg (3.1-10.1 lbs) making them comparable to the size of a coati. Kinkajous are a nocturnal according to Animalia.bio meaning they sleep during the day and are most active during the night. Kinkajous perform routine social acts like grooming and feeding before they sleep in fruit trees. Kinkajous have a brownish gold coat that fades into a lighter underbelly that is distinctive and blends well in their environment. Kinkajous have six fingered hands that end in claws that mirror those of primates. These hands aid greatly in the arboreal lifestyle of the kinkajou.

## Diet

Kinkajous live in very tropical regions influencing their diet to the point it is consisted of many different types of fruits meaning that they are predominately frugivores. They will often indulge in many different variations of fruits including native melons, apples, bananas, figs, grapes, and mangoes. Yet they also consume a large amount of honey and nectar in which they obtain through rummaging bee hives, which has earnt them the alternative name of honey bear. Kinkajous also supplement their frugivorous diet with frogs, insects, birds and eggs. Kinkajous gain a lot of moisture from their diet, meaning they do not need to seek out or gather regular running water. This moisture is also obtained through eating the dew on leaves and water found in tree cavities, knots and crevasses.

## Conservation Status

According to the IUCN the Kinkajou has been listed as least concern with a decreasing population. The mature number of Kinkajous is unknown yet the population is still stagnated and decreasing. The Kinkajou has a lot of local, national and international threats, one of the main ones being pet trade globally as kinkajous are seen to the public as a great pet. another great concern to their population is the increase of urbanisation in the tropical forests in which they live. There are also growing concerns about the growth of agriculture and livestock in the Kinkajous habitat

## Range and Population

The kinkajou has been known to live in densely forested areas and the tropic regions of South America, and up to the border of the Andes mountain range. Kinkajous are clearly an arboreal species, living in the dense Amazon. Its range also extends through Central America and along the Mexican coastline, throughout the same rainforest and coastal environments. The kinkajou spends its time deep in the Brazilian tropics (into the Mato Grosso) and Bolivia (East of the Andes.) The kinkajou's current population is unknown yet we do know that it is at least concern, implying a healthy population. The kinkajous also provide a very important ecological niche to the rainforests they live in, as they are effective pollinators and exceptional at the re-plantation of the seeds in which they consume from fruits. This makes kinkajous necessary for a healthy forest in their range.

## Behaviour

It is quite well known that Kinkajous have been proven to be a great choice of pets for a lot of people around the world when in reality Kinkajous do not make the best pets. Kinkajous are naturally nocturnal meaning that they are active during the night and either asleep or less active during the day. This is also means that they have great night vision and spend much of their dies hiding in the deep rain forest. Kinkajous are arboreal as well meaning they spend nearly all their life in the trees using their prehensile tail to stay perched in the branches. In captivity the Bio.Expedition explains how kinkajous enjoy consuming honey from hives yet this behaviour has not been seen in the wild. Kinkajous were once thought of as solitary creatures however Animalia.bio explains that Kinkajous share their communities with two males, a female and sometimes even juveniles. Kinkajous often take the same route every night and lifestyle patterns and try to stick to their own territory by marking with scent glands on the mouth, their throat, and their abdomen.

### Relationship with Humans

Kinkajous have become victim to many forms of international pet trade, including the illegal pet trade on the black market and other similar markets. This is because of their small size, as they are much easier to catch and to handle. High global demand and outward appearance to the public also have a role in their wild capture, as many a person sees kinkajous as great exotic pets and one people will pay high price in order to obtain them. Though as previously said, kinkajous due not make great pets as in the wild they live a specialised nocturnal lifestyle, a lifestyle that cannot be recreated by the diurnal owners of the kinkajou. Kinkajous also have very diverse dietary requirements and will often become aggressive towards owners after a sudden change in habitat and lifestyle.

## In Captivity

Kinkajous are very prominent in zoos because of their appearance to the public and their peculiar features. Kinkajous are recorded in roughly 28 zoos worldwide (Data provided by ZOOINSTITUTES). Though the possibly largest and most popular one being San Diego Zoo with their successful kinkajou breeding program. Unfortunately due to kinkajous high demand in the illegal trade, many unprofessional and unqualified zoos in less funded areas own kinkajous in a less enriching and supportive habitat with unethical conditions.

## Sources

* Kinkajou | BioExpedition - https://www.bioexpedition.com/
* Kinkajou | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/
* Kinkajou | Animalia.bio - https://animalia.bio/
* Kinkajou | San Diego Zoo - https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals
* Kinkajou | IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/