View source for Kinkajou

{{Short description|South American honeyeater (Potos flavus)}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Kinkajou
| image = Potos flavus (8973438737).jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Helgen, K. |author2=Kays, R. |author3=Schipper, J. |date=2016 |title=''Potos flavus'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T41679A45215631 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41679A45215631.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| status2 = CITES_A3
| status2_system = CITES
| status2_ref = <ref>{{cite Species+ |id=10012 |title=''Potos flavus'' (Schreber, 1774) |access-date=25 November 2025}}</ref>
| parent_authority = [[Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire|Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire]] & [[Georges Cuvier|G. Cuvier]], 1795
| genus = Potos
| species = flavus
| authority = ([[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber|Schreber]], 1774)
| display_parents = 2
| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
| subdivision = {{collapsible list
|''P. f. chapadensis'' {{small|[[Joel Asaph Allen|J. A. Allen]], 1904}}
|''P. f. chiriquensis'' {{small|J. A. Allen, 1904}}
|''P. f. flavus'' {{small|(Schreber, 1774)}}
|''P. f. megalotus'' {{small|(Martin, 1836)}}
|''P. f. meridensis'' {{small|[[Oldfield Thomas|Thomas]], 1902}}
|''P. f. modestus'' {{small|Thomas, 1902}}
|''P. f. nocturnus'' {{small|(Wied, 1826)}}
|''P. f. prehensilis'' {{small|([[Robert Kerr (writer)|Kerr]], 1792)}}
}}
| range_map = Kinkajou area.png
| range_map_caption = Distribution of kinkajou (2010)<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />
| synonyms = {{collapsible list
|''Cercoleptes brachyotos'' {{small|[[Heinrich Rudolf Schinz|Schinz]], 1844}}
|''C. brachyotus'' {{small|Martin, 1836}} 
|''C. lepida'' {{small|Illiger, 1815}} 
|''C. megalotus'' {{small|Martin, 1836}} 
|''Lemur flavus'' {{small|Schreber, 1774}}
|''Mustela potto'' {{small|Muller, 1776}} 
|''Nasua nocturna'' {{small|Wied, 1826}}
|''Viverra caudivolvula'' {{small|Schreber, 1778}} 
|''V. prehensilis'' {{small|[[Robert Kerr (writer)|Kerr]], 1792}} 
}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=Ford/>
}}

The '''kinkajou''' ([[Help:IPA/English|/ˈkɪŋkədʒuː/]] [[Help:Pronunciation respelling key|''KING-kə-joo'']]; '''''Potos flavus''''') is a [[Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests|tropical rainforest]] [[mammal]] of the family [[Procyonidae]] related to [[olingo]]s, [[coati]]s, [[raccoon]]s, and the [[Ring-tailed cat|ringtail]] and [[cacomistle]]. It is the [[Monotypic taxon|only member]] of the [[genus]] '''''Potos''''' and is also known as the "honey bear" (a name that it shares with the unrelated [[sun bear]]). Though kinkajous are [[arboreal]], they are not closely related to any other tree-dwelling mammal group ([[Primate|primates]], some [[Mustelidae#Ecology|mustelids]], etc.).

Native to Mexico, Central and South America, this mostly [[Frugivore|frugivorous]] mammal is seldom seen by people because of its strict [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] habits. However, it is hunted for the pet trade, its skin (to make wallets and horse [[Saddle|saddles]]), and its meat. The species has been included in Appendix III of [[CITES]] by Honduras, which means that exports from Honduras require an export permit, and exports from other countries require a certificate of origin or of re-export. They may live up to 40 years in [[Captivity (animal)|captivity]].

==Etymology==

The common name {{wktl|en|kinkajou}} derives from [[French language|French]] {{wktl|fr|quincajou}}, based on the [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]] name for the [[wolverine]]. It is similar to the [[Ojibwe language|Ojibwe]] word {{wktl|oj|gwiingwaʼaage}}, perhaps from a [[Proto-Algonquian language|Proto-Algonquian]] ''*kwi·nkwaʔa·ke''.<ref>{{cite Merriam-Webster|kinkajou|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{OEtymD|kinkajou|accessdate=17 May 2020}}</ref> Its other names in English include {{wktl|en|honey bear}}, {{wktl|en|night ape}}, and {{wktl|en|night walker}}. Throughout its range, several regional names are used; for instance, the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] names {{wktl|nl|nachtaap}}, {{wktl|nl|rolbeer}}, and {{wktl|nl|rolstaartbeer}} are used in Suriname. Local names in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] include {{wktl|pt|jupará}}, ''yapará'', ''huasa'', ''cuchi cuchi'', {{wktl|es|leoncillo}}, {{wktl|pt|marta}}, and ''perro de monte'';<ref name=Ford/><ref name=husson/> many of these come from [[Indigenous languages of the Americas|indigenous languages]] such as [[Old Tupi language|Old Tupi]].

==Taxonomy==
A. M. Husson, of the [[Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie]] ([[Leiden]]), discussed the rather complicated nomenclature of the kinkajou in ''The Mammals of Suriname'' (1978).<ref name=husson>{{cite book|chapter=''Potos flavus flavus'' (Schreber, 1774) |pages=285–289|chapter-url={{google books|id=1s8UAAAAIAAJ|page=285|plainurl=yes}} |title=The Mammals of Suriname |author=Husson, A. M. |location=Leiden |publisher=E. J. Brill |date=1978 |isbn=978-90-04-05819-4}}</ref> In his 1774 work ''Die Säugethiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur'', [[Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber|Schreber]] listed three items under the name "''Lemur flavus'' Penn.": on page 145 is a short translation of [[Thomas Pennant|Pennant]]'s [[scientific description|description]] of the yellow maucauco (later identified to be ''Lemur mongoz'', presently known as the [[mongoose lemur]]) from his 1771 work ''A Synopsis of Quadrupeds'' (page 138, second figure on plate 16); on plate 42 is a depiction of the yellow maucauco by Schreber; the last item is a reference to ''A Synopsis of Quadrupeds'' itself.<ref>{{cite book|title=Die Saugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur, mit Beschreibungen|last=Schreber|first=J. C. D.|author-link=Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber |pages=145, 187 (index), plate 42 |volume=1 |issue=9}}</ref> Husson noted that the last item is actually Pennant's description of an animal that is clearly a kinkajou. Husson therefore concluded that ''Lemur flavus'' is actually a "composite species" based on Schreber's specimen of the mongoose lemur and Pennant's specimen of the kinkajou, and identified the latter as the [[lectotype]] for the species.<ref>{{cite book|author=Pennant, T. |author-link=Thomas Pennant|title=A Synopsis of Quadrupeds |publisher=J. Monk |location=Chester |page=138, plate 16 |date=1771}}</ref> 
The [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] reported by Schreber for ''L.&nbsp;flavus'' ("the mountains in Jamaica") was clearly based on Pennant's description of the kinkajou, who claimed, however, that his specimen was "shown about three years ago in London: its keeper said it came from the mountains of Jamaica".<ref name=husson/> This error was pointed out by [[Oldfield Thomas|Thomas]] in 1902, who corrected the type locality to Suriname. He used the name ''Potos flavus'' for the kinkajou.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Thomas |first1=O. |author-link=Oldfield Thomas |title=On the geographical races of the kinkajou |journal=Annals and Magazine of Natural History |date=1902 |volume=9 |issue=52 |pages=266–270 |doi=10.1080/00222930208678583 |series=7|url=https://zenodo.org/record/1744769 }}</ref> The genus ''Potos'' was erected by [[Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire|Saint-Hilaire]] and [[Georges Cuvier|Cuvier]] in 1795, with the [[type species]] ''Viverra caudivolvula'' described by Schreber in 1778 (later identified as a [[Synonym (taxonomy)|synonym]] of ''Potos flavus'').<ref name=Ford/><ref>{{cite journal|title=Memoire sur une nouvelle division des Mammiferes, et sur les principes qui doivent servir de base dans cette sorte de travail|trans-title=Memoir on a new division of Mammals, and on the principles which must be used as a basis in this kind of work|language=fr|pages=164–190|date=1795|journal=Magasin Encyclopedique|url=http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/index.php?s=1&act=pdfviewer&id=1175831155&folder=117}}</ref> In 1977 the family Cercoleptidae was proposed with the kinkajou as the sole member, but this classification was later dismissed.<ref name=Ford/><ref>{{cite journal|jstor=43406060|title=Notas para una monografia de ''Potos flavus'' (Mammalia: Carnivora) en Colombia |author=Hernández-Camacho, J. |journal=Caldasia |volume=11|issue=55|pages=147–181|date=1977 |language=es |trans-title=Notes for a monograph of '' Potos flavus '' (Mammalia: Carnivora) in Colombia}}</ref>

=== Subspecies ===
{{cladogram|title=
|caption=The five clades within ''P. flavus''<ref name=nascimento/>
|1={{clade | style=font-size:90%;line-height:100%;width:300px;
|1={{clade
   |1=Costa Rica (clade 1)
   |2={{clade
        |1=Northern Brazil and the Guianas (clade 2)
        |2={{clade
                |1=Ecuador and Panama (clade 4)
                |2={{clade
                       |1=Northern Peru (clade 3)
                       |2=[[Interfluve]]s; Bolivia, western Brazil and Peru; eastern [[Atlantic forest]] (clade 5)
                     }}
             }}
        }}
   }}
}}
}}

Eight [[subspecies]] have been proposed (type localities are listed alongside):<ref name=Ford/><ref name = "MSW3">{{MSW3 Carnivora | id = 14001650 | pages = 626-627}}</ref>

*''P. f. chapadensis'' {{small|[[Joel Asaph Allen|J. A. Allen]], 1904}}: [[Chapada]]s of [[Mato Grosso]] (Brazil)
*''P. f. chiriquensis'' {{small|J. A. Allen, 1904}}: [[Boquerón, Chiriquí|Boquerón]], [[Chiriquí Province]] (Panama)
*''P. f. flavus'' {{small|(Schreber, 1774)}}: Suriname. Synonyms include ''Cercoleptes brachyotos'', ''C.&nbsp;brachyotus'', ''Mustela potto'', and ''Viverra caudivolvula'' 
*''P. f. megalotus'' {{small|(Martin, 1836)}}: [[Santa Marta]] (Colombia) 
*''P. f. meridensis'' {{small|Thomas, 1902}}: [[Mérida, Mérida|Mérida]] (Venezuela)
*''P. f. modestus'' {{small|Thomas, 1902}}: Montes Balzar, [[Guayas Province]] (Ecuador)
*''P. f. nocturnus'' {{small|(Wied, 1826)}}: [[São Miguel dos Campos]], [[Alagoas]] (Brazil)
*''P. f. prehensilis'' {{small|([[Robert Kerr (writer)|Kerr]], 1792)}}: [[Veracruz]] (Mexico)

A 2016 [[phylogenetic]] study based on [[mitochondrial gene]] [[cytochrome b]] analyzed kinkajou specimens from a variety of locations throughout most of their range. The results showed 27 [[haplotype]]s split into five [[clade]]s corresponding to geographical divisions: Costa Rica (clade 1), northern Brazil and the Guianas (clade 2), northern Peru (clade 3), Ecuador and Panama (clade 4), [[interfluve]]s between the [[Branco River]] and [[Rio Negro (Amazon)|Rio Negro]] in the [[Brazilian Amazon]], low-lying Amazonian areas (in Bolivia, western Brazil and Peru), and eastern [[Atlantic Forest]] (clade 5). Given the diverse clades, the researchers suggested that some of the subspecies might be independent species.<ref name=nascimento>{{cite journal |last1=Nascimento |first1=F. F. |last2=Oliveira-Silva |first2=M. |last3=Veron |first3=G. |last4=Salazar-Bravo |first4=J. |last5=Gonçalves |first5=P. R. |last6=Langguth |first6=A. |last7=Silva |first7=C. R. |last8=Bonvicino |first8=C. R. |title=The evolutionary history and genetic diversity of kinkajous, ''Potos flavus'' (Carnivora, Procyonidae) |journal=Journal of Mammalian Evolution |date=2016 |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=439–451 |doi=10.1007/s10914-016-9354-9 |s2cid=31591561 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308759494}}</ref>

== Evolution ==

A 2007 phylogenetic study showed that kinkajous form a [[basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] lineage [[Sister taxa|sister]] to the rest of the [[Procyonidae]]. They diverged 21.6–24 Mya. Two clades, one leading to ''[[Bassaricyon]]'' ([[olingo]]s and the [[olinguito]]) plus ''[[Nasua]]'' (coatis), and one leading to ''[[Bassariscus]]'' (the [[ring-tailed cat]] and the [[cacomistle]]) plus ''[[Procyon (genus)|Procyon]]'' (racoons), appeared subsequently and [[Evolutionary radiation|radiated]] during the [[Miocene]] ({{Mya|23.8|5.3}}). Kinkajous are thought to have evolved in North America and invaded South America as part of the [[Great American Interchange]] that followed the formation of the [[Isthmus of Panama]].<ref name="Koepfli2007">{{cite journal| title=Phylogeny of the Procyonidae (Mammalia: Carvnivora): Molecules, morphology and the Great American Interchange|last1= Koepfli|first1= K.-P.|last2= Gompper|first2= M.E.|last3= Eizirik|first3= E.|last4= Ho|first4= C.-C.|last5=Linden|first5= L.|last6=Maldonado|first6= J.E.|last7= Wayne|first7= R.K.| journal= Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | volume=43 | issue=3 | pages=1076–1095| year=2007 |doi= 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.10.003| pmid=17174109|bibcode= 2007MolPE..43.1076K|citeseerx= 10.1.1.495.2618}}</ref> The phylogenetic relationships obtained in the 2007 study are given below; these were supported by similar studies in the following years.<ref name="EizirikMurphy2010">{{cite journal|last1=Eizirik|first1=E.|last2=Murphy|first2=W. J.|last3=Koepfli|first3=K.-P.|last4=Johnson|first4=W. E.|last5=Dragoo|first5=J. W.|last6=Wayne|first6=R. K.|last7=O'Brien|first7=S. J.|title=Pattern and timing of diversification of the mammalian order Carnivora inferred from multiple nuclear gene sequences|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume= 56|issue=1|date= 2010-02-04|pages= 49–63|doi= 10.1016/j.ympev.2010.01.033|pmid=20138220|pmc=7034395|bibcode=2010MolPE..56...49E }}</ref><ref name=ZooKeys>{{cite journal |title=Taxonomic revision of the olingos (''Bassaricyon''), with description of a new species, the Olinguito  |last1=Helgen |first1=K. M. |last2=Pinto |first2=M. |last3=Kays |first3=R. |last4=Helgen |first4=L. |last5=Tsuchiya |first5=M. |last6=Quinn |first6=A. |last7=Wilson |first7=D. |last8=Maldonado |first8=J.|journal= ZooKeys|issue= 324|date= 2013-08-15|pages= 1–83|doi= 10.3897/zookeys.324.5827 |pmid=24003317 |pmc=3760134|doi-access=free |bibcode=2013ZooK..324....1H }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| last = Helgen | first = K. M. |author2=Kays, R. |author3=Helgen, L. E. |author4=Tsuchiya-Jerep, M. T. N. |author5=Pinto, C. M. |author6=Koepfli, K. P. |author7=Eizirik, E. |author8= Maldonado, J. E. |title = Taxonomic boundaries and geographic distributions revealed by an integrative systematic overview of the mountain coatis, ''Nasuella'' (Carnivora: Procyonidae) | journal = Small Carnivore Conservation | volume = 41 | pages = 65–74 | date = 2009 | url = https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/8168/vz_Helgen_et_al_2009c_Small_Carnivore_Conservation_Nasuella.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y}}</ref>

{{Clade|style=width:35em;
|label1=[[Procyonidae]]
|1={{Clade
 |1={{Clade
  |1={{Clade
   |1=''[[Bassaricyon]]'' ([[olingo]]s and [[olinguito]])
   |2=''[[Nasua]]'' and ''[[Nasuella]]'' (coaties)
   }}
  |2={{Clade
   |1=''[[Procyon (genus)|Procyon]]'' (raccoons)
   |2=''[[Bassariscus]]'' ([[ring-tailed cat]] and [[cacomistle]])
   }}
  }}
 |2='''''Potos''''' (kinkajou)
}}}}

== Physical characteristics ==
[[File:Potos flavus (8973438561).jpg|thumb|right|Kinkajou using its [[prehensile tail]]]]
[[File:Kinkajou skull.JPG|thumb|left|Kinkajou [[skull]]]]

[[File:Potos flavus (Harvard University) black background.jpg|thumb|right|Skeleton]]
The kinkajou has a round head, large eyes, a short, pointed [[snout]], short limbs, and a long [[prehensile tail]]. The total head-and-body length (including the tail) is between {{convert|82|and|133|cm|in|abbr=on}}, and the tail measures {{convert|39|to|57|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Ford/> Its mature weight ranges from {{convert|1.4|to|4.6|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. Females are generally smaller than males.<ref name="nowak">{{cite book |last=Nowak |first=R. M. |title=Walker's Carnivores of the World |date=2005 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=0-8018-8032-7 |location=Baltimore |pages=138–139 |chapter=Kinkajou}}</ref> The short, rounded ears measure {{convert|3.6|to|5.4|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The eyes reflect [[Tapetum lucidum|green or bright yellow]] against light. The long, thick tongue is highly extrudable. The snout is dark brown to black. The claws are sharp and short.<ref name=Ford/><ref name=nowak/>

The coat color varies throughout the range and at different times of the year. Several shades such as tawny olive, wood brown, and yellowish tawny have been reported for the upper part of the coat and the upper side of the tail, while the underparts and the lower side of the tail have been observed to be buff, tawny, or brownish yellow. Some individuals have a black stripe running along the midline of the back.<ref name=Ford/><ref name=nowak/> The color seems to become lighter from the south to the north, though no seasonal trends have been observed.<ref name=Ford/> The fur is short, woolly and dense.<ref name = "central_neotropics">{{cite book|title=Mammals of the Neotropics|volume = 3: The Central Neotropics (Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil) |pages=289–290 |chapter=Genus ''Potos'' E. Geoffroy and F. G. Cuvier 1795 |chapter-url={{google books|id=p2MDAzCeQQoC|page=289|plainurl=yes}}|author1=Eisenberg, J. F. |author2=Redford, K. H. |year = 1989 |publisher = University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-19542-1}}</ref> Hairs are of two types - light yellowish and darker with brown tips. The darker hairs reflect light poorly relative to the lighter ones, often creating an illusion of spots and dark lines on the coat. The tail is covered with thick fur up to the end.<ref name=husson/>

The kinkajou is distinguished from other procyonids by its small, rounded ears, extensible tongue, and prehensile tail. Olingos are similar enough in appearance that many native cultures do not distinguish the two.<ref name="Kays2000" /> Compared to olingos, kinkajous are larger, have foreshortened [[snout|muzzles]], and lack [[anal scent gland]]s (in addition to the previously described differences). The [[binturong]], a Southeast Asian [[viverrid]], has similar limb proportions and is the only other carnivoran with a prehensile tail. The kinkajou resembles [[New World monkey|neotropical monkeys]] in having a prehensile tail and big, forward-facing eyes, but has a different dentition and heavy fur on the soles of the feet.<ref name = "Ford">{{cite journal| last = Ford | first = L. S. |author2=Hoffman, R. S.  | title = ''Potos flavus''| journal = Mammalian Species | issue =  321| pages = 1–9| date = 1988 | jstor = 3504086 | doi =  10.2307/3504086| doi-access = free}}</ref><ref name=nowak/>

== Range and habitat ==

Kinkajous [[range (biology)|range]] from east and south of the [[Sierra Madre (disambiguation)|Sierra Madre]] in Mexico, throughout Central America to [[Bolivia]] east of the [[Andes]] and the [[Atlantic Forest]] of southeastern [[Brazil]]. Their altitudinal range is from sea level to {{convert|2500|m|||abbr=on}}. They are found in closed-[[Canopy (biology)|canopy]] [[tropical forests]], including [[tropical rainforest|lowland rainforest]], [[montane forest]], [[tropical dry forest|dry forest]], [[gallery forest]], and [[secondary forest]]. [[Deforestation]] is thus a potential threat to the species.<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />

== Diet ==

Although the kinkajou is classified in the order [[Carnivora]] and has sharp teeth, its [[omnivore|omnivorous]] diet consists mainly of fruit, particularly [[Ficus|figs]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Raccoons and their Relatives|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=-6EKSMAEwAwC&pg=PA7|last=Stone|first=David|publisher=[[IUCN]]|year=1995|isbn=978-2-8317-0051-9|pages=7}}</ref> Some 90% of their diet consists of (primarily ripe) fruit. To eat softer fruits, they hold it with their forepaws, then scoop out the succulent pulp with their tongue. They may play an important role in [[seed dispersal]]. Leaves, flowers, nectar, and various herbs make up much of the other 10% of their diet.<ref name="Kays">{{Cite journal | last = Kays | first = Roland W. | title = Food preferences of kinkajous (''Potos flavus''): a frugivorous carnivore | journal = [[Journal of Mammalogy]] | volume = 80 | issue = 2 | pages = 589–599 | date = May 1999 | doi = 10.2307/1383303 | jstor = 1383303| doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Potos_flavus/ | title=Potos flavus (Kinkajou) | website=[[Animal Diversity Web]] }}</ref> They sometimes eat insects, particularly ants. They may occasionally eat bird eggs and small vertebrates.<ref name="Kays" /> Their frugivorous habits are convergent with those of [[diurnality|diurnal]] [[spider monkey]]s, with the two species filling similar ecological roles where they overlap, but at different times.<ref name = "Kays"/>

The kinkajou's slender {{convert|5|in|cm||abbr=|adj=on}} extrudable [[tongue]] helps the animal to obtain fruit and to lick [[nectar]] from flowers, so it sometimes acts as a [[pollinator]]. (Nectar is also sometimes obtained by eating entire flowers.) Although captive specimens avidly eat [[honey]] (hence the name "honey bear"), honey in the diet of wild kinkajous is not well reported.{{citation needed|date=January 2016|reason=this is contradicted by several reliable sources, which state that the kinkajou is known to raid bees' nests}}

== Behavior ==
Kinkajou spend most of their lives in trees, to which they are particularly well adapted.<ref name="Petrie">{{cite book |title=Kinkajous |author=Kristin Petrie |publisher=ABDO |year=2010 |page=6 |isbn=978-1-61613-911-7}}</ref> Like [[raccoon]]s, kinkajous' remarkable manipulatory abilities rival those of [[primate]]s. The kinkajou has a short-haired, fully [[prehensile tail]] (like some [[New World monkey]]s), which it uses as a "fifth hand" in climbing. It does not use its tail for grasping food. It can rotate its ankles and feet 180°, making it easy for the animal to run backward over tree limbs and climb down trees headfirst.<ref name="Petrie"/> [[Scent gland]]s near the mouth, on the throat, and on the belly allow kinkajous to mark their territory and their travel routes. Kinkajous sleep in family units and [[Social grooming|groom]] one  another.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Menino |first1=Holly |last2=Klum |first2=Mattias  |title=The Kinkajou |publisher=[[National Geographic Society]] |url=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0310/feature2/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224082640/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0310/feature2/index.html |archive-date=December 24, 2007 |access-date=2013-05-12 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

While they are usually solitary when foraging, they occasionally forage in large groups, and sometimes associate with olingos (which are also nocturnal arboreal frugivores).<ref name="red_panda">{{cite book |last=Glatston |first=A.R. |title=The red panda, olingos, coatis, raccoons, and their relatives |type=Status survey |publisher=[[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] |date=October 1994 |isbn=978-2-8317-0046-5 |page=5 |url=http://www.carnivoreconservation.org/files/actionplans/procyonids_en.pdf}}</ref> The larger kinkajous are dominant and will drive olingos away when food is scarce.<ref name="Kays2000">{{cite journal|last1= Kays|first1= R.W.|title=The behavior and ecology of olingos (''Bassaricyon gabbii'') and their competition with kinkajous (''Potos flavus'') in central Panama |journal= Mammalia |volume= 64|issue= 1|year= 2000|pages= 1–10|url= http://www.academia.edu/download/30664844/14484.pdf|doi= 10.1515/mamm.2000.64.1.1|s2cid= 84467601}}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Kinkajous have a much more extensive range than olingos and tend to be more common.<ref name="Kays2000" /> However, olingos may have greater agility,<ref name="Kays2000" /> perhaps facilitating their [[sympatry]] with kinkajous.

As a nocturnal animal, the kinkajou's peak activity is usually between about 7:00&nbsp;pm and midnight, and again an hour before dawn. During daylight hours, kinkajous sleep in tree hollows or in shaded tangles of leaves, avoiding direct sunlight.

Kinkajous breed throughout the year, giving birth to one or occasionally two small babies after a gestation period of 112 to 118&nbsp;days.

== As pets ==
[[File:Yawning kinkajou.jpg|thumb|Kinkajou [[yawns]] in a Costa Rican animal shelter]]

Kinkajous are sometimes kept as [[exotic pets]]. They are playful, generally quiet, docile, and have little odor, but they can occasionally be aggressive. Kinkajous dislike sudden movements, noise, and being awake during the day. An agitated kinkajou may emit a scream and attack, usually clawing its victim and sometimes biting deeply. In 2011, the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] reported that pet kinkajous in the United States can be carriers ([[fecal–oral route]]) of the raccoon roundworm ''[[Baylisascaris procyonis]]'', which is capable of causing severe morbidity and even death in humans if the brain is infected.<ref>{{cite journal|last = Kazacos |first = K. R. |title = Raccoon Roundworms in Pet Kinkajous --- Three States, 1999 and 2010|url =https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6010a2.htm|date = 2011-03-11| volume= 60| issue =10|pages = 302–305|journal=[[Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report|MMWR]]|display-authors=etal|pmid = 21412211 }}</ref> In 2023, ''National Geographic'' reported that escaped kinkajou pets were living in Florida.<ref>    ''[https://email.nationalgeographic.com/T/v60000018b81c39b28b2e9adf4bbe5bf30/46a7444c11814aec0000021ef3a0bcc6/46a7444c-1181-4aec-908a-67cce0c57560 The Jurassic Park of Exotic Species]{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}'', National Geographic, Monday, October 30, 2023</ref>

In [[El Salvador]], [[Guatemala]], and [[Honduras]], pet kinkajous are commonly called ''micoleón'', meaning "lion monkey". In [[Peru]], pet kinkajous are frequently referred to as ''lirón'' (the Spanish word for [[dormouse|dormice]]),  often described as a "bear-monkey". These names reflect its monkey-like body and obviously carnivoran head.

They typically live about 23 years in captivity, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 42 years.<ref>{{cite web |title= Kinkajou| url= http://www.honoluluzoo.org/kinkajou.htm | publisher = [[Honolulu Zoo]] |access-date= 2013-05-12 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120406152531/http://www.honoluluzoo.org/kinkajou.htm | archive-date= 2012-04-06 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Kinkajou}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120402080432/http://www.honoluluzoo.org/kinkajou.htm Kinkajou – Honolulu Zoo]
* [http://lagunadeapoyo.blogspot.com/2017/04/animal-rescue-xx-kinkajou.html Kinkajou rescue – Nicaragua]

{{Carnivora|C.}}
{{Musteloidea|Mea.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q254630}}

[[Category:Carnivorans of North America]]
[[Category:Carnivorans of Central America]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Amazon]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Cerrado]]
[[Category:Least concern biota of North America]]
[[Category:Least concern biota of South America]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1774]]
[[Category:Mammals of Bolivia]]
[[Category:Carnivorans of Brazil]]
[[Category:Mammals of Colombia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Ecuador]]
[[Category:Mammals of French Guiana]]
[[Category:Mammals of Guyana]]
[[Category:Mammals of Mexico]]
[[Category:Mammals of Peru]]
[[Category:Mammals of Suriname]]
[[Category:Mammals of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Procyonidae]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber]]