Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammal
Order: Carnivora
Family: Procyonidae
Genus: Potos
Species: P. flavus
* There are also 7 subspecies of kinkajou.
The Kinkajou is also known as the Honey Bear and is an arboreal animal native to Central and South America.
They are not monkeys or ferrets…In fact, they are related to the raccoon, coati and ringtail to name a few.
Kinkajous only weight between 4-7 lbs and have a long, curled tail, which is prehensile. This means that it can use it as a “limb” or 5th hand of sorts and can hang on to branches, etc with it.
Although they have a grey undercoat, their outer coat is that of a golden brown or brownish grey and live to be about 23 years old.
Again, this is another animal classified as a carnivore, except it’s diet is more omnivorous than anything else. They enjoy many fruits, nectar and sometimes whole flowers, honey (thus, why they call them the Honey Bear), some vegetables, and are known to also eat birds eggs and insects, not to mention the occasional bird too.
Their family units consist of a small group that stays together at night and grooms one another. Sometimes foraging in small groups, but more often than not solitary for this activity, kinkajous will also associate with olingos, although not a closely related species.
Kinkajous “speak” to eachother most often with loud shreeks or shrills sounding like a woman screaming.
They are nocturnal, meaning they sleep all day and are out foraging, etc during the night. They avoid direct sunlight as much as possible and are known to have poor vision and not be able to differentiate between colors.
Conservation Status:
The Kinkajou is an Endangered Species of animal!
Why?
It has been over-hunted, especially for it’s fur, and has lost it’s habitat to boot!
* For more information on how to save kinkajous, check out the Kinkajou Association.
***
I hope you found this Endangered Animal interesting on Exotic Animal Lover! Until next time…
Live Exotically,
Kimberly Edwards 
P.S. Get your kids involved in learning the importance of the world’s most precious resource…our animals! They are who will save them in the future! Check out this cute book:
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i have a pet kinkajou i live in france
You do? Wow – how fun, Kanoka! Could you email me a photo??? What’s it’s name? Tell us about having one as a pet!!!
Kimberly