Kinkajou P. flavus

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

Head and body length is 450-760 mm tail length is 392-570 mm. Weights of adults range from 1.4-4.6 kg. with males generally being larger than females. Coloration is tawny olive to yellowish brown to brown on the upper parts and upper surface of the tail. There is sometimes a black middorsal line. The undersurface of the prehensile tail varies from yellow, buff or brownish yellow, the muzzle is dark brown to blackish and the fur is soft and woolly.

P. flavus has a rounded head and short face. The hind feet are longer than the front and have sharp claws. Females have two mammae. Breeding occurs year round in most of the range, but usually take place in April and May in Surinam. Gestation is 112-118 days resulting in one offspring and infrequently twins are born. Weighing between 150-200 grams, the young are born in a hollow tree and will open their eyes at 7-19 days. At 7 weeks they take solid food and can hang by their tales. Sexual maturity is attained at 1.5 yrs. for males and 2.25 yrs. for females.

The Kinkajou is almost entirely arboreal, inhabiting forest where it spends its days in a hollow tree, emerging only to cool off on hot, humid days. At night it hunts for fruits, honey, insects and small vertebrates. Generally solitary, small groups sometimes form, but only temporarily, to feed in fruit bearing trees.

P. flavus is native in Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (Mato Grosso), Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Mexico (S Tamaulipas and and Guerrero and possibly Michoacan), Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Surinam, Venezuela.