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NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 75 



Galictis vittata 

 Grison, Grisdn or Tejon 



Orisons are found at lower elevations from central and eastern Mexico through- 

 out Central America to Peru and southern Brazil (Fig. 107). The subspecies Galictis 

 vittata canaster is found in Costa Rica from sea level to perhaps over 1,500 m. 

 Most records of grisons are from below 500 m. In Costa Rica, however, grisons 

 appear to be absent from the tropical dry forests of northwestern Costa Rica. They 

 are uncommon and rarely observed throughout their range. Grisons should receive 

 complete protection in Costa Rica as an endangered species. 



Galictis vittata is found in a wide variety of habitats including both wet and 

 dry tropical forests, open and wooded grasslands, and cultivated areas. Grisons 

 are most often found near streams and rivers, and they swim readily. They are 

 opportunistic predators and are known to prey on a variety of small mammals, 

 including Didelphis and Sigmodon, lizards, snakes, frogs, and birds. Grisons are 

 primarily nocturnal, although their activity may continue through the morning. 



Grisons have been observed on nine occasions at La Selva. Although we have 

 no record of this species from Braulio Carrillo, we expect that it occurs there. 



Fig. 107. Grison, Galictis vittata. Photo by R. M. Timm. 



