The habitat and lifestyle of the flower bear, appearance, behavior, diseases, care, maintenance, interesting facts. Acquisition of kinkajou. In South America, from Mexico to Brazil, many people keep these animals as regular pets. For Brazilians, they are so familiar that they are associated with a kind of element of everyday life - like we are our "muraks" and "guns". In Russia, they are considered exotic, they are not suitable for the conditions of a temperate continental climate. Therefore, such animals do not live in wildlife in our country, but only in zoos or occasionally, with individual amateur breeders. Although the animals are considered predators, their diet is very different from that of their fellows. In our country, there is a delicacy that they simply adore.
Kinkajou are perfectly tamed. The creatures are very gorgeous and friendly. Do not create any problems in their content. Like other predators, they can rid their homes of rodents. These are certainly not cats to run and catch mice - but on occasion, they will be happy to catch them, and immediately start eating. These pets are little known in our country, but they are loved in Hollywood. American actress Perez Hilton has such an unusual friend. Their character is simply angelic, but outwardly they are such cute, amusing creatures that you can watch and communicate for hours.
Habitat and lifestyle of the flower bear
Kinkajou or in Latin - "potos flavus", live in the forests of South America. Once in their homeland, in tropical thickets, you are unlikely to immediately find them. They lead a secretive lifestyle. They go out to feed only at night, and sleep in the hollows of trees.
Outwardly, they look like something in between a lemur, a cat and a Cheburashka, but in fact, they are the closest relatives of the raccoon family. Kinkajou are completely arboreal animals. All their lives, they spend in trees, very rarely going down, therefore, in fact, they look like wet-nosed primates.
They have very tenacious paws-arms and a long, grasping tail, which they hold on to branches. They can even hang only on it, doing their own thing with the help of their limbs, for example, plucking and feasting on the fruits growing nearby. The tail serves as a balancer and fifth leg. And finally, this is a warm blanket with which the "bears" cover themselves during sleep. In short, a universal tool for all occasions.
In terms of nutrition, they are very different from predators. They are called flower bears for a reason. They eat nectar with great pleasure, and for this they have a special device - a very thin and long tongue, reaching a length of twelve or more centimeters.
With the help of it, kinkajou are able to penetrate for delicacy into flowers of various types, to any depth. Or in bee hives, from where they suck honey. They catch insects in narrow crevices of trees. Their tongue is not adapted to eating animal food. Basically, these are sweet fruits, nectar and honey in all its forms. But the animals will be happy to destroy the bird's nest, eating eggs and chicks. They will catch and eat small local rodents running alongside: agouti, whiskasha, giara, degu or konokono.
Separately, we can say that few of the animals have real plush wool. The kinkajou have thick, dense, soft five-millimeter fur. They awarded him such a coat so that it would not get wet, and the animal was protected from painful bee stings. The natural enemies of raccoon bears in nature are: jaguars, taira, ocelot, margai and fox. They live taking care of each other kinkajou. They have only one cub, and after a couple of years he himself is able to create a family.
The appearance of a flower bear
Kinkajou, small animals that can weigh from two to three and a half kilograms, depending on gender. They have an affectionate disposition. They lead an active, nocturnal lifestyle. They feed on plant and animal products.
- Head rounded, wider and flatter in the upper frontal part. The brow ridges are clearly visible.
- Muzzle short and round, tapering towards the end, with short, black antennae. The transition to the forehead is well pronounced. The jaws are broad, with a scissor bite and strong, white canines. The lips are dry, tight-fitting, brown colored. They have a very long tongue, which can be more than twelve centimeters. The nose is small, harmonious with the muzzle. It is never black, only dark brown with a pinkish flesh tint.
- Ears kinkajou are low-slung, small, rounded at the ends.
- Eyes large, convex, round, medium rise. Should be dark brown. They can be nutty or amber-yellow. They have a very clever expression on their faces.
- Frame elongated, well-nourished, expands to the rump, pear-shaped. There is a small, slightly bulging tummy.
- Limbs the kinkajou are plump and strong, of medium size. The hind legs are longer than the front ones, with well-filled thighs.
- Paws resemble human hands. The fingers are long and tenacious. The nails are strong and well developed. They spend all their time climbing trees.
- Tail reaches a length of fifty to sixty centimeters. Thicker at the base, gradually tapering towards the end. It is very tenacious and resilient and serves as a balancer and fifth hand. Covered with dense, short, uniform hair.
- Wool flower bear velvet, one might say stuffed plush. Very dense, with a dense undercoat. Hair reaches no more than five millimeters in length, soft and pleasant to the touch.
- Color - on the top of the body is reddish-brown, the tummy is orange-yellowish. The muzzle of the animal is as if in a mask, dark brown or blackish. The ears are also darker in color. The color of the tail is uniform, slightly darker than the main shade of the coat.
Features of kinkajou behavior
They have not only pleasant fur and unusual appearance, but also a wonderful character. The animal is very affectionate and friendly. But on condition that it will not be paired. After all, then they will love their soul mate, not you. They will already have a friend to communicate, why would he need you?
They are nocturnal and active animals. After turning off the light, the animals, like squirrels, run around their enclosure, they feel good and funny. But over time, many kinkajou, knowing the habits of the owners, tune in to a half-day lifestyle.
When a person walks past the cage, they always wake up, pull their hands and want to get something tasty. They love to be stroked and caressed. They love to hang and rest on the shoulders of the owner. They are very curious. They are interested in everything that is around them.
The kinkajou are certainly not active all night, probably all their mobility falls on twilight. The sun went down, the animals go about their business for two or three hours, and then they go to rest. They love to climb, not only along the branches in their aviary, but also along the cornices and so on.
Flower bears can lie quietly on their backs, touching their paws to eat a banana, but this impression is deceiving. Kinkajou's slowness evaporates when they decide to play. Jumping "plush bumpkin" can be from two to two and a half meters - they are very mobile creatures.
Diseases of kinkajou
In nature, flower bears live up to 22-26 years. In captivity, of course, much less. It all depends on the conditions created for the animals. This should be not only the complete and fortified food they need, but also the correct organization of the enclosure space.
When kept in rooms and apartments, infections that are transmitted naturally - from cats and dogs can become a problem. Even if such animals are not kept in the dwelling, they are on the streets of cities. We bring bacteria on clothes and shoes. Therefore, kinkajous must be vaccinated. Such manipulations will save 90% of these troubles.
Drafts and cold, damp rooms are also not for flower bears. They can get colds and even pneumonia. Do not forget to treat for internal parasites - helminths. The animals are often licked, and the eggs of the worms can get on the animal's coat in a different way.
Prevention can be carried out with a suspension. It is added to a small amount of food, in proportion to the weight of the animal. The pet is fed it in the morning on an empty stomach, and an hour later, it is fed fully. A varied diet and proper care will keep your kinkajou vigorous and healthy for a long time.
Breeding flower bears
The lifestyle of the kinkajou is slightly different from other mammals. They live collectively. The family includes several individuals: two males, several females, grown-up teddy bears and babies. The couple has a very affectionate relationship. They tend to look after and take care of each other. The animals rest together, but each one goes hunting by himself.
When the female reaches three years of age, she becomes sexually mature and can create a family. Having found a suitable "groom", mating games take place. The male is capable of breeding after 1, 5 years. The mother is carrying babies for about 3, 5 months. In the spring-summer period, the sacrament of birth takes place. Usually one flower bear is born, with rare exceptions two. The mole rats weigh no more than 200 grams. Cubs begin to see after 7 days, and after 5, hear. When they are almost 2 months old, they stop eating their mom and start eating solid foods. After six months, their coat looks like an adult's.
Tips for caring for kinkajou, keeping at home
- Home equipment. An aviary for living can be 2x1, 5 m, provided that there are branches for climbing inside it. They should be strong and easy to walk and jump on. Since in nature, kinkajou sleep in hollows, they are given a warm and cozy house. To do this, you can build an elementary box made of thick cardboard. A hole is cut in it and something warm and soft is covered. The animals love to play. You can buy toys made of plastic or rubber that are difficult to chew or swallow. Lying around, "teddy bears" love to sort out and examine something. It must be remembered that we do not always want to keep in a cage our dear and beloved creature that lives in an apartment. An absolutely handmade kinkajou, which has a house, like a cat, standing on the closet, will wake up, come to you, play, eat and go back. Do not forget that from there he can jump onto furniture or expensive dishes. Be prepared for the unexpected. The apartment must be adapted for them. All breakable and easily breakable items must be removed. Kinkajou climb cornices, curtains, chandeliers and wires very masterly, easily, joyfully and naturally. It is best to have an aviary where the animal is in your absence. Returning from work, you open and control the pranks of the animal. It will be easier for you and your pet.
- Feeding. If you approach from the point of view of American diets, then you begin to understand that it is impossible to keep an exotic animal. Too great variety of products included in it: pollen of various flowers, several types of honey with wax, nectars, syrups with pulp and all the same spirit. But you can get by with simpler things, for example, any soft and sweet fruits. Oddly enough, kinkajou are very fond of bananas. But this does not mean that you need to feed only with them. Maybe: diarrhea, obesity, problems with the digestive tract. They give sweet apples, pears, oranges, preferably grapes, seasonal melons, watermelons, ripe persimmons. Well, honey, as well as unsweetened yoghurts, cottage cheese. The products are sliced. For example, if they are the size of an apple, then they are divided into four parts. Also, the diet should include raw chicken, or better quail eggs. They do not need to be broken, cooked, the kinkajou will figure it out on their own. They are also fed chicken and veal meat, as well as fish. Ultraviolet lamps should be used for young animals. Because with a lack of sun or vitamin D, rickets occur. If this is not possible, then cat vitamins containing minerals are introduced into the diet.
- Bathing. Of course, the wool is kept clean and not matted. The problems of bathing procedures and combing are not worth it, this is done extremely rarely. If the animal gets dirty, just wipe it with a napkin. There is no smell from pets that are not bathed, they are very clean.
- Things to Avoid Feeding monotonous food. In no case do not leave the animal outside the enclosure alone in the apartment.
Interesting facts about kinkajou
Unfortunately, kinkajous are hunted for their beautiful fur. In some countries they are eaten, which is also very unfortunate.
Surprisingly, hearing and smell appear before sight. At night, the animals specifically scream. You can even get scared, it looks like a heart-rending female scream.
The rare, natural arrangement of the feet of flower bears allows them to turn them one hundred and eighty degrees without any problems and move freely through the trees.
Acquisition of kinkajou
Kinkajou are included in the third provision of the EU convention, that is, this animal is protected. Therefore, the seller must have a copy of the document indicating whether the animal was brought from nature and from which country. Basically, they are imported from Suriname or Guyana, which have the largest quotas for the export of these "bears".
If the pet was born in captivity, then there must be copies of the documents from where his parents came from. Or documents from the zoo, because in captivity, kinkajou reproduce rather poorly. This phenomenon is very rare. In 2015, only two babies were born at the Yekaterinburg Zoo, which were then transferred to the Moscow Zoo.
A veterinary certificate is mandatory, which accompanies all animals without exception. Here are two main business papers that should be in the sale of kinkaj: that it is not contraband and does not violate the quotas for removing it from natural conditions, where it was born, in what place, from what parents and whether it is healthy.
If you are offered an adult kinkajou, with all the necessary documents, then you should know that adults are tamed with difficulty and do not get used to a new family well, even if they were friendly. Plus, you need to remember that these are nocturnal animals and in nature they lived in their own regime. Finding themselves in an unfamiliar environment with strangers and in the daily rhythm of life, they will feel bad and "take it out" on the owners.
Since they do not have a thousand-year history of communication with humans, such as dogs, they are not in the mood for contact. You communicate with them and they begin to love you. But if they have someone to have tender feelings for, for example, when they are in a couple, then why should they communicate with you? They get hung up on each other.
You cannot make the animals contained in the group absolutely tame. This is the first minus of paired cultivation. Animals are well tamed when they do not see their fellow tribesmen and you become a member of their flock. Of course, during the rutting season, he will experience discomfort, but he will treat you kindly.
Think, what is more important for you, to breed kinkajou in a large aviary, where they run beautifully and cheerfully along the branches one after another? Or do you need a friend who will be happy to communicate with you?
Having weighed all the pros and cons, deciding to buy, remember that such an exotic animal is expensive. Kinkajou are very rare pets for our region, so it is impossible to name the exact cost.
Never buy flower bears from poachers, you will not only be responsible for this, but you can also get hold of a sick animal with which you will not know what to do later. The approximate price of such animals for serious people can be from $ 500 to $ 1500 and more.
Learn about the features of kinkajous care from this video:
