The kinkajou, also called the sugar bear and honey bear, is a mammal that lives in tropical and rain forests. This animal belongs to the family Procyonidae and is related to coatis, the ringtail, raccoons, cacomistle, and olingos.
The kinkajou (Potos flavus) is a tropical rainforest mammal related to olingos, coatis, raccoons, and the ringtail and cacomistle. It is the only member of the genus Potos and is also known as the "honey bear".
The common name kinkajou comes from a word that means "honey bear," as kinkajous raid beehives for the golden liquid. As you might have guessed, the kinkajou has quite a sweet tooth!
It is sometimes kept as a pet known as a “honey bear,” although the animal cannot be litter-trained. Considered gentle if they are obtained when young, kinkajous do possess anal glands that produce a musky odour when the animal is angered or frightened; kinkajous can also deliver a sharp bite.
Wild kinkajous indulge in fruit and honey while climbing trees, which is how they got their "honey bear" nickname. These are somewhat social animals, spending some time alone and some time in groups grooming, sleeping, and playing together.
The Kinkajou (Potos flavus), also known as the ‘Honey Bear’, ‘Sugar Bear’, or ‘Cat Monkey’ is a small rainforest mammal related to the olingo, cacomistle and raccoon and is native to Latin and South America.
Kinkajous are sometimes called honey bears because they raid bees' nests. They use their long, skinny tongues to slurp honey from a hive, and also to remove insects like termites from their nests.
Discover the fascinating world of the kinkajou—also known as the honey bear. Learn about its rainforest habitat, diet, behavior, lifespan, adaptations, and care as a pet.