Quck answer
Kinkajous are small, tree-dwelling mammals found in Central and South America. While they may look cute and cuddly, they can be aggressive and territorial, especially if they feel threatened or stressed. Kinkajous have sharp teeth and claws, and their bites and scratches can cause serious injury. Pet owners should be aware of these risks and take precautions, such as providing plenty of space and enrichment, avoiding sudden movements, and wearing protective clothing when handling them. It’s also important to remember that kinkajous are wild animals and may not make suitable pets for everyone.
Wild Animals
Kinkajous (Potos flavus) are tree-dwelling animals that reside in Central and South America. In the picture, a kinkajou is enjoying a papaya. Carol Farneti Foster/Getty Images
Imagine being a 99-year-old woman who wakes up in the middle of the night to find a furry animal, which you assume must be a pet, curled up on your chest. You scream, and the animal screams back in an unfamiliar sound. Everyone is screaming, and the animal runs off into the attic. What would you think this creature is?
An elderly Miami woman had a similar experience in 2016 when she found a strange animal sleeping on her chest one night. She had no idea what kind of creature it was. One of her family members thought it might be a kinkajou, a tree-dwelling mammal that is native to Central and South America. The family member used cherries and videos from YouTube to lure the animal out of the attic and into a pet carrier.
The kinkajou turned out to be someone’s pet named Banana, who had been missing for a week before finding her way into the woman’s house. In 2019, another kinkajou broke into a home in Lake Worth, Florida, presumably searching for food, and attacked a man, scratching his legs and feet before hiding in the bathroom until authorities arrived.
Kinkajous have long tongues and faces that resemble Yoda’s.
Rebecca Yale/Getty Images
These incidents suggest that kinkajous (Potos flavus) can be aggressive and forward. Both of these Florida animals were probably brought to the U.S. through the exotic pet trade and were used to getting their needs met by humans. In the wild, kinkajous are shy, nocturnal foragers that move around the forest to avoid predators. They belong to the order Carnivora but eat mostly fruit, which helps to disperse seeds around the rainforest, and the nectar of flowers, which they pollinate using their long tongues. They also enjoy raiding bee’s nests, earning them the nickname “honey bears.”
Kinkajous are the only species in the Potos genus and are closely related to raccoons. They weigh between 4 to 10 pounds (2 to 5 kilograms) and are fast-moving animals that can run backward almost as quickly as forward because of their specialized back feet that can turn 180 degrees. They also have a prehensile tail that helps them balance while moving around in trees and allows them to hang upside down to grab fruit.
Kinkajous are creatures that enjoy the company of their own kind, although they are social animals. Banana, a kinkajou in Miami, attempted to cuddle with a lady, which is possibly due to their social nature. While it is legal to keep them as pets in some countries and states in the US, a special permit is usually necessary. This is because although they are typically gentle, they bite when they feel threatened. In 2006, Paris Hilton’s illegal pet kinkajou named Baby Luv bit her, which resulted in a hospital visit. A year before that, Baby Luv scratched Paris while they were shopping together. Therefore, it is advisable to leave kinkajous in their natural habitat, the rainforest.
Interestingly, kinkajous rarely descend from the treetops, which means they drink water that has accumulated in leaves and the crevices of tree trunks.
FAQ
1. What is a kinkajou and where do they live?
A kinkajou is a small mammal native to Central and South America. They are part of the raccoon family and are sometimes called a “honey bear.” Kinkajous live in the rainforests of these regions and are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in trees.
2. Why do kinkajous sometimes show aggression towards humans?
Kinkajous are typically docile animals, but they can show aggression if they feel threatened or cornered. They have sharp teeth and claws, which they can use to defend themselves. Kinkajous may also become aggressive if they are not properly socialized or have been mistreated by humans in the past.
3. How can I prevent a kinkajou from becoming aggressive towards me?
The best way to prevent aggression from a kinkajou is to avoid handling them or getting too close. If you do need to interact with a kinkajou, make sure you are calm and gentle. Never corner or chase a kinkajou, as this can make them feel threatened and more likely to become aggressive.
4. What should I do if a kinkajou does become aggressive towards me?
If a kinkajou becomes aggressive towards you, the best thing to do is to slowly back away and give them space. Do not try to fight or restrain the animal, as this can make the situation worse. Seek medical attention if you have been bitten or scratched.
5. Can I keep a kinkajou as a pet?
In some areas, it is legal to keep a kinkajou as a pet, but it is not recommended. Kinkajous require specialized care and a large amount of space to live comfortably. They also have a tendency to become destructive and may show aggression towards their owners. It is best to leave kinkajous in their natural habitat and admire them from a distance.
Leave a Reply