Kinkajou

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Kinkajou

Conservation status

Least concern

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Procyonidae
Genus:	Potos Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire & Cuvier, 1795
Species:	P. flavus

Binomial name

Potos flavus
(Schreber, 1774)

Kinkajou range

The Kinkajou (Potos flavus), also known as the Honey Bear, is a nocturnal rainforest mammal related to the ringtail, raccoon, and the lesser panda. It is the only member of the genus Potos.

An average adult kinkajou weighs 2–3 kg (4–7 lb). Although classified in the order Carnivora and equipped with sharp teeth, they actually primarily eat fruit. Although captive animals will eat honey (earning them the name "Honey Bear"), it has never been observed in the diet of wild kinkajous. Native to Central America and South America, this tree-dwelling mammal is not particularly rare, though it is seldom seen by people because of its strict nocturnal habits. Like raccoons (also members of the family Procyonidae), kinkajous have remarkable manipulatory abilities, in this respect rivaling primates. Kinkajous also have short-haired, fully prehensile tails (like some New World monkeys), which they use as a fifth hand in climbing. However, they do not use their tails for grasping food. The prehensile tail distinguishes kinkajous from the related olingos.

Kinkajous are sometimes kept as pets. Their personality tends to be playful and curious, and they are generally tame. However, some owners report unpredictable, vicious attacks by their kinkajous even after several years of non-aggression.

Kinkajous do not like to be awake during the day, and dislike noise or sudden movements. If they are agitated too much, they may emit a scream and attack, usually clawing their victim and biting deeply. Their bites are particularly dangerous as their saliva contains a tenacious, species-specific bacterium - Kingella potus, first identified by Dr. Paul Lawson of the University of Oklahoma. Socialite Paris Hilton used to carry her pet kinkajou, named "Baby Luv", on her shoulder to parties and clubs. In August of 2006, Hilton was taken to an emergency room when 'Baby Luv' bit her on the arm.

During the night, it is possible to hear the Kinkajou vocalizing; their shrill calls resemble a woman's scream. For this reason, one folk name for the kinkajou is "la llorona," which translates directly from the Spanish language into "the crying woman."

Kinkajous may be mistaken as ferrets or monkeys, but are not at all related. They can be kept as household pets. They love honey, and live an average of about 26 years of age. In fact Sugar Bear (one of the Honolulu Zoo's previous kinkajous) broke 40 in to the Guinness Book of Word Records. He lived from 1962-2003.