THE KINKAJOU. 



The Kinkajou. 



The Kinkajou is a native of Southern and Intertropical America, where it appears to be extensively 

 spread, and is known under different appellations. In New Granada it is called, by the native Indians, 

 Gushumbi, and Maniviri in the mission of Rio Negro. In its manners it much resembles the coati-mondi, 

 but differs from that animal not only in the shape of the head, which is short and compact, but also in 

 having a prehensile tail. Of recluse and solitary habits, the Kinkajou lives for the most part among 

 the branches of trees in large woods or forests, and is in every respect well adapted for climbing; being, 

 however, decidedly nocturnal, it is but little exposed to the observation even of those who sojourn among 

 the places frequented by it. During the day it sleeps in its retreat, rolled up like a ball, and, if roused, 

 appears torpid and inactive. As so'on, however, as the dusk of evening sets in, it is fully awake, and is all 

 activity, displaying the utmost restlessness and address, climbing from branch to branch in quest of food, 

 and using its prehensible tail to assist itself in its manoeuvres. Few mammalia are more incommoded 

 by light than the Kinkajou ; we" have seen the pupils of the eyes contracted to a mere round point, even 

 when the rays of the sun have not been very bright, while the animal at the same time testified by its 

 actions its aversion to the unwelcome glare. 



In size, the Kinkajou is equal to a full-grown cat, but its limbs are much stouter and more muscular, and 

 its body more firmly built. In walking, the sole of the foot is applied fairly to the ground, as in the case 

 of the badger. Its claws are strong and curved, the toes on each foot being five. The ear* are short and 

 rounded. The fur is full, but not long, and very closely set. There is no animal among the Carnivora in 

 which the tongue is endowed with more remarkable powers of extension. The tongue is long and slender, 

 capable of being inserted into crevices or fissures, in search of insects, reptiles, or the eggs of birds. Baron 

 Humboldt informs us that this animal is an extensive devastator of the nests of the wild bee, whence the 

 Spanish missionaries have given it the name of " honey bear," and that it uses its long tongue to lick up 

 the honey from the cells of the comb. Its diet also consists of birds, eggs, small animals, roots, and fruits. 



