Kinkajou
Potos flavus
There is a high risk associated with keeping this species as a pet. This is not a suitable pet.
© Wikimedia Commons/Dick Culbert
Assessment results
High risk
Conservation | Moderate risk
This animal is likely to be threatened by extinction in the wild, and/or it is subject to international trade controls due to demand in the pet trade. Please check that the animal you want comes from a reputable seller or rescue center that follows best practices when they source their animals. Learn more about wildlife conservation and the pet trade.
Legality | Moderate risk
It’s likely that the animal has some national legal protections or import restrictions; however, exotic pet ownership is regulated at the state, county, or city level, so check your jurisdiction to see if you can own it. Keeping these protected or prohibited species can have legal consequences for the owner, including fines or bans on pet ownership or sale. Learn more about relevant exotic pet trade and ownership laws.
Human and public health | High risk
It is likely that this animal is a threat to human or public health due to potential life-threatening zoonotic diseases and physical attributes that can harm humans. Learn more about animal-related illness and injuries.
Invasiveness | Low risk
This species would not likely impact native biodiversity or habitats. However, never release a pet into the wild for any reason.
Animal welfare | High risk
Care, diet, and housing needs of this species are extremely difficult to meet for its lifetime, and potential owners are unlikely to be able to provide a good quality of life. Learn more about the challenges with exotic pet welfare.
⚠️ Important considerations
- Check your local laws on kinkajou ownership. Laws on pet ownership vary at the city, county and state level in the US and it is illegal or you need proper permits to keep a kinkajou as a pet in some states and municipalities.
- Kinkajous, especially those that come from the wild, are known to carry zoonotic diseases that can be life threatening to humans. They are not domesticated and hard to train, so can be unpredictable and show harmful behaviors toward humans, such as biting very hard.
- Their housing, diet, and social needs are very hard to meet in captivity, and are financially expensive and time consuming. In the wild, they have a highly varied diet that is hard to provide in captivity. They are very intelligent, high-energy animals that require large spaces with trees to live in.
Basic information
Taxonomy:
Carnivora, Procyonidae
Lifespan:
Kinkajou lifespan in the wild is not well known, but in captivity, they live up to 23 years.
Weight:
4-10 lbs (2-4.6 kg)
Size:
16-30 in (46-76 cm) long with a tail length of 15-22 in (40-57 cm)
Native range and habitat:
Neotropical forests in Mexico, Central America, and part of South America.
Diet:
Omnivores- eat a variety of fruits depending on the season.
Activity and behavior:
- They have a complex social structure, which is still being studied by scientists. They have a solitary group life where they spend most of the time alone, but gather to feed and socialize.
- They are most active at night when people are sleeping.
© WWF-Japan