Kinkajous are nocturnal, being most active between 7 PM and 1 AM and then again just before dawn.  During the day they sleep in hollow trees or a "nest" of leaves.  They are arboreal (tree dwelling), in the wild they live in the rain forest canopy, seldom if ever coming to the jungle floor.  However in captivity, they will play on the ground.

    Kinkajous have prehensile (grasping) tails, (see photo at right)

that are used like an extra paw when climbing.  It is nearly as long as the body.  Kinkajous can turn their hind feet backwards so the clawed toes can be used while descending head first.  The front paw are sensitive and the palms are bare skinned.

     Kinkajous vision is poor, they cannot see the differences in color, they rely primarily on their senses of touch and smell.  Kinkajous communicate with each other by scent marking around their home range.  The scent glands are located in bare areas on either side of the face corners of the mouth, the throat, and on the abdomen.  (See photo below showing glands on neck)

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  They also have a variety of calls, from a soft bark to shrill screams.  Although the Kinkajous have scent glands they really have no noticeable odor.

    The diet of the Kinkajou in the wild would consist of fruits like figs, bananas, melons, grapes, leaves, honey, insects, bark, frogs, bird eggs, and they use their long tongues (20 cm / 6 inches) to extract nectar from Balsa flowers.  When eating they will turn on their back and sometimes upside down so they do not lose any juice from the fruits.  Kinkajous are the only carnivore that is also a "pollinator", a very important role in ecology.  As the animals feed on nectar, pollen adheres to their face and is deposited on other plants as they move blossom to blossom.     

Life span is approximately 20 to 25 years, longer in captivity.

   Breeding: Kinkajous reach sexual maturity between the ages of 1.5 and 3 years.  The female is in estrus approximately every three months.  After a gestation period of 98 to 120 days, the female gives birth to 1 or rarely 2 offspring.

Common names:  Kinkajou, Honey bear      Scientific name:  Potos flavus    Family:  Procyonidae (raccoon)                  Role:  Pollinator, Seed disperser


The status of the Kinkajou in the wild is listed as threatened.  This is due to the loss of habitat and fur hunting.  Hopefully by breeding in captivity, we can help save these wonderful animals.               
   
For more information about Kinkajous check out these free discussion groups:                                      

http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/kinkajous                 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PROCYONIDAE

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Procyonid_Viverrid

http://www.topica.com/lists/kinkajous                    

 

         F.A.Q.'s                                                          
                                
        Q.  Do Kinkajous make good pets?

        A.  For the right person, Kinkajous can be a
             great pet.

        Q.  Do Kinkajous use a litter box?

        A.  No.  But when Kinks wake up they will generally eliminate in the first 20 minutes.  Once they have finished it is "safe" to let them out to play for an hour or more.

Q.  Should I keep my Kink in a cage when I am not around?

A.  YES.  Kinks left to roam on their own can get into all kinds of mischief.  It is best to keep them locked up for their own safety.

Q.  What kind of a cage do I need?

A.  Bigger is always better.  However, large parrot / macaw cages work well for Kinks.  It should be large enough to put branches or parrot type toys for climbing.  A shelf for eating.  And a nest box for sleeping.

                                                                                                              

Kinkajou Care Sheet

Contact us:  E-mail  kanzakitty@allegiance.tv

Phone:  913-370-0138