Tayra

## Background Information

### Alternate Name(s)

Eira, High-woods dog, Chien bois, Tolomuco, Perico ligero, Motete, Irara, San hol, Viejo del monte,

## Classification

### Subspecies

E. b. barbara
E. b. inserta
E. b. madeirensis
E. b. peruana
E. b. poliocephala
E. b. senex
E. b. sinuensis

The tayra ***(Eria barbara)*** is a species of Mustelid which occurs in South and Central America. Tayras are weasel-like in appearance, having morphologically similar features such as a slender body close to the ground, stout limbs and a canine-like head with short round ears, a short snout and small eyes. They are covered in a coat of dark greyish-brown coarse fur which transitions to a light brown or tan-grey colour around the head and neck. The limbs are usually darker, being black or bluish-brown. Yellowish-cream patches of fur are sometimes apparent on the tayra's throat and the appearance and shape of these markings depends on the individual, serving as a way to identify specific individuals. Tayras also have long, dark, bushy tails. Tayras have also exhibited white, albino or uniform yellow coats among some individuals. They have five digits on each foot, each sporting a short but powerful claw used by the tayra for climbing or running. The feet also possess bare soles framed by sensory hairs. Tayras reach 60-70cm (23.6-27.6in) in length and weigh 3-6kg (6.6-13.2lbs). Male and female tayras are indifferent though males are slightly more muscular.

## Diet

Tayras are omnivorous predators and prey mostly upon small mammals, particularly spiny rats ***(Echimyidae)***. Though they have a preference for small mammals, tayras will also eat birds like the great potoo ***(Nyctibus grandis)***, reptiles and invertebrates. As they are omnivorous, tayras will eat fruits and even honeycomb when available. Studies show that tayras will also hide food from one another in trees as to avoid losing a potential meal. They most commonly have been found to do this with plantains ***(Plantago major)***, a banana-like fruit native to South America. This demonstrates that tayras may think ahead to avoid hunger by storing food.

## Conservation Status

The tayra is classed as least concern by the IUCN and so faces little notable threats. It is possible however, that the species has suffered some population detriment in Mexico due to land-clearing projects and infrastructural matters. It is likely that the tayra has been threatened by road infrastructure, habitat clearing and habitat fragmentation throughout its range.

## Range and Population

The tayra occurs throughout South and Central America in rainforests, montane forests and tropical savannas east of the Andes. Tayras prefer to live in well-forested tropical forests with established canopies to accommodate their arboreal lifestyle, avoiding cleared areas like clearings and open grasslands, as to avoid predation by raptors, particularly the harpy eagle ***(Harpia harpyja)***. Six subspecies have diversified across the widespread range of the nominate tayra. Each subspecies occurs in a separate part of the tayra's distribution, with the nominate tayra being found specifically in southern/central Brazil, northern Bolivia and Paraguay. Some notable subspecies include ***(E. b. senex)*** which can be found as far north as Mexico and ***(E. b. poliocephala)*** which is unique to northern South America and is the only subspecies to be found off the mainland in Trinidad and Tobago. Each of the tayra subspecies are relatively identical in appearance, being recognised as separate and distinct from each other in correspondence to the latitude in which they exist. The tayra population is unknown and thought to be decreasing. Evidence also supports the idea that tayra populations are directly impacted by land clearing and urbanisation, possibly causing threats for ***(E. b. senex)*** in the future as it inhabits more regularly encroached lands in comparison to the other subspecies.

## Behaviour

Tayras are semi-arboreal species and spend a lot of their time in the canopies of trees. On the ground, the tayra moves with a bounding or hobbling gait with an arched back, while in trees it moves more fluidly and comfortably, jumping from branch to branch and using its tail to balance. The climbing abilities of the tayra also allow it to scale rocky inclines in addition to trees. Tayras are mostly solitary, but have been found in groups of 3-4 individuals, communicating via the use of yips, snarls and clicks. When threatened, a tayra will produce a loud and sharp bark before fleeing into a tree. The reproductive behaviour of the tayra is enigmatic however, it is hypothesised that the gestation period lats 63-70, with 2-3 pups being born, each weighing around 74-92g (2.6-3.2oz) at birth. Newborns open their eyes at 35-58 days of age and begin nursing for 2-3 months. The tayra's estrous cycle is debated, with some proposing that the species mates in March-July, while others believe the tayra has an estrous cycle of around 17 days, with a receptivity period lasting 2-3 days, about three times yearly.

### Relationship with Humans

Indigenous South and Central American tribes were known to tame tayras and employ them in their settlements to deter pests like rats and mice, similarly to how the African wildcat ***(Felis silvestris lybica)*** was domesticated in Egypt for the same purpose. Reportedly, tayras are easily tamed and many still own them as pets in modern South and Central America. Today, the tayra is viewed as a pest by agriculturalists, as the species raids plantations, sugar and corn fields as well as poultry farms, though damage is usually minimal.

## In Captivity

The tayra is exhibited at few zoos worldwide however, has become popular among European zoos. As previously mentioned, they are also kept uncommonly as exotic pets.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41644/45212151
* Tayra | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tayra
* Tayra | Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eira\_barbara/
* Do Tayras Plan for the Future? | Science - https://www.science.org/content/article/do-tayras-plan-future
* Tayra | Wildlife Trails - https://www.wildlifetrails.co.uk/tayra/
* Misunderstood Mesos: Tayra | Wolf Education & Research Center - https://wolfcenter.org/misunderstood-mesos-tayra/
* Tayra | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/tayra-623/