Greater Grison

About the Greater Grison

The greater grison (Galictis vittata) is a species of mustelid native to southern Mexico, Central America, and South America. The greater grison is a slender animal with short legs, a long neck, and a short, bushy tail. It is similar in appearance to the closely related lesser grison, from which it can be most readily distinguished by its greater size, with a head-body length ranging from 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 in). Adults weigh between 1.5 and 3.8 kg (3.3 and 8.4 lb) in the wild, but may become larger when reared in captivity.

The back, flanks, top of the head, and tail are grizzled grey in color, while the rest of the body is much darker, and usually solid black. A narrow, whitish stripe separates the darker and lighter fur on the head and shoulder, but not further back, where the two colors may, in some individuals, blur into one another. The tail is 14 to 20 cm (5.5 to 7.9 in) long and covered with bushy hair similar in color to that on the animal's back. The head is flattened and broad, with short, rounded ears, and dark brown to black eyes. The legs are muscular, with five webbed toes, each ending in a sharp, curved claw.

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