What is a Kinkajou?

If you've ever seen a picture of a kinkajou, you know that it is a cute, furry little creature that resembles a small monkey. In fact, most people think it is a monkey and it is often reported as being on. But the kinkajou is not related to monkeys at all.

The kinkajou is a most closely related to the raccoon, and is related to the red panda as well. Despite this, the kinkajou looks a great deal like a spider monkey, leading to the assumption that the animal is some type of primate. The kinkajou reaches an adult weight between 4 and 7 pounds, with males being slightly heavier than females. The kinkajou subsists primarily on fruit and flowers in the wild, but has been known to eat other things when kept in captivity. The average lifespan of the kinkajou is about 23 years.

Kinkajous can be found in the wild in the rainforests of Central and South America. They are nocturnal creatures, coming out at night to climb trees and eat fruit. Kinkajous are excellent climbers, largely because of their prehensile tail that aids them in climbing. The tail is not, however, used to grasp food as monkeys use theirs. Kinkajous are also accomplished jumpers, leaping from tree to tree in search of a meal.

The kinkajou has never been on the endangered species list, and remains quite numerous in the wild. However, the kinkajou is hunted by humans and used as a source of both food and fur. Many humans refer to the kinkajou as the "honeybear," in reference to the soft honey color of the animal's fur, and because kinkajous are known to love honey when fed it in captivity.

The cute look of the kinkajou, it's soft, thick fur, and its curious nature have made it a desired pet in some countries. In the U.S., it is illegal in many states to own a kinkajou. Before deciding whether to purchase one, find out whether your state has laws against it. Exotic animals like the kinkajou can be difficult to care for even in places where it is legal to own them, as most vets are not trained to care for them. Kinkajous are not domesticated animals, and have been known to bite zookeepers and their owners when kept as pets. For all of these reasons, kinkajous are best observed in the wild or in a zoo, and not in a pet owner's home.