Species MammalsKinkajou

Kinkajou

Potos flavus

Very rareMammal
Illustration of Kinkajou (Potos flavus)

The Kinkajou is a nocturnal, arboreal member of the raccoon family with a prehensile tail it uses as a fifth limb for navigating tropical forest canopy. Its long, extensible tongue reaches nectar deep within flowers, making it an important pollinator in Neotropical forests. The kinkajou reaches southern Mexico, placing it at the very fringe of the North American fauna.

Habitat
Tropical rainforests and moist forests of Mexico and Central America
Diet
Fruit, nectar, and occasional insects and small vertebrates
How common
Very rare

Not certain it is a Kinkajou? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Kinkajou sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Kinkajou? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Kinkajou is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love mammals? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More mammals

Kit Fox
Kit Fox
Vulpes macrotis
Kodiak Bear
Kodiak Bear
Ursus arctos middendorffi
La Plata Dolphin
La Plata Dolphin
Pontoporia blainvillei
Large Hispid Pocket Gopher
Large Hispid Pocket Gopher
Orthogeomys hispidus
Least Chipmunk
Least Chipmunk
Neotamias minimus
Least Weasel
Least Weasel
Mustela nivalis
Lesser Long-nosed Bat
Lesser Long-nosed Bat
Leptonycteris yerbabuenae
Little Brown Bat
Little Brown Bat
Myotis lucifugus