LA SELVA-BRAULIO CARRILLO MAMMALS 



137 



Eira Barbara 

 Tayra, Tolomuco or Gato de Monte 



Tayras are found from Sinaloa and Tamaulipas, Mexico, south to northern 

 Argentina (Fig. 106). Two subspecies are known from Costa Rica: Eira barbara 

 biologiae from the southern and eastern part of the country and E. b. inserta from 

 northern and western Costa Rica. Tayras are found from sea level to high-elevation 

 cloud forest. 



Tayras are the most arboreal and diurnal of the Neotropical mustelids. They 

 are strong and agile climbers and frequently are seen during the day moving through 

 the tree tops as well as on the ground. They eat small rodents, reptiles, and fruits, 

 especially figs (Ficus) . The biology of tayras in Costa Rica was reviewed recently 

 by Janzen (1983c). 



Tayras have been observed on several dozen occasions at La Selva. There are 

 records of sightings from throughout the year. Judging from their close proximity 

 in time and space, these records probably represent a few individuals seen repeated- 

 ly. Most sightings have been of lone animals. However, on 4-5 April 1982, an 

 adult and a single young were observed together. Two observations are of two 

 individuals together; three were observed together twice, and once five were seen 

 together (14 June 1987). Many of the observations were made near buildings or 

 on trails frequently traveled by researchers. Several sightings near El Sura in January 

 1987 were probably of the same individual. Hartshorn (in litt.) saw an adult and 

 three juveniles in the pejibaye grove at La Selva in the early 1970's. A member 

 of our group saw a tayra on two occasions near the 2,050-m camp in Braulio Car- 

 rillo, and another was seen at 200 m. 



Fig. 106. Tayra, Eira barbara. Photo by R. M. Timm. 



