THE KINKAJOU 139 



In cold winter weather it hibernates, a whole family often occupying 

 the same den. The young are born in the spring, and number up to six ; 

 they stay with the parents for one season at least, being sociable creatures. 



The use of the Raccoon's fur has been previously alluded to, and it 

 may be mentioned that its flesh is sometimes eaten. For this reason, 

 and on account of its occasional misdeeds, it is hunted a good deal, but 

 nevertheless holds its own, and is apparently even spreading, life in a 

 settled country suiting it. 



Raccoons do well in captivity ; the Northern species at any rate has 

 bred in the Zoo, and the Southern one, curiously enough, stands outdoor 

 life quite as well. They show themselves very cunning and intelligent, 

 and have the remarkable habit of washing their food in water before eating 

 it : this has very long been known, the scientific name " lotor" meaning 

 " a washer." 



THE KINKAJOU 



(Cercoleptes caudivolvulus) 



The pretty animal known by this name was originally classed as a Lemur, 

 and indeed it is somewhat like one in general appearance, while, although 

 its paws are furnished with claws instead of nails, they are so hand-like 

 in use that the beast can hold a bit of food in one and break pieces 

 off it with the other. The tail is long and strongly prehensile, this being 

 the only carnivore but the Binturong which possesses a tail of this type. 

 In size the Kinkajou about equals a Cat ; its coat is short and thick, and 

 of a peculiar sooty yellow in colour. It is a South American forest animal, 

 nocturnal, and an active climber, and lives chiefly on fruit. Its tongue is 

 long and very extensible, and it is fond of honey. In captivity it makes 

 a nice pet, and is often kept. Very similar to the Kinkajou is the Bassari- 

 cyon {Bassaricyon alleni), also a South American animal of this family. 

 This, however, is a rare beast ; it has not the long tongue of the Kinkajou, 

 and is ill-tempered — at least, the specimen shown at the Zoo was so — 

 so that any one who gets hold of a short-tongued and short-tempered 

 Kinkajou has got a bargain from the scientific point of view. 



