Kinkajou
KinkajouKinkajouKinkajou

Kinkajou

Potos flavus

Silhouette: Margot Michaud · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible
at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
7 Verified sightings at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary From 2019 to 2026
278 Verified sightings across all 36 parks From 2019 to 2026
April Best month highest sighting rate
🌅 Crepuscular When it's spotted at dawn and dusk

About the Kinkajou

The kinkajou (/ˈkɪŋkədʒuː/ KING-kə-joo; Potos flavus) is a mammal of the family Procyonidae, a relative 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 (a name shared with several unrelated species). Though kinkajous are arboreal, they are not closely related to any other tree-dwelling mammal group (primates, mustelids, etc.).

Native to tropical rainforests of Mexico, Central and South America, this mostly frugivorous mammal is seldom seen by people because of its strict nocturnal habits. However, it is hunted for the pet trade, its skin (to make wallets and horse saddles), and its meat. The species has been included in Appendix III of CITES by Honduras, which means that exports from Honduras require an export permit, and exports from other countries require a certificate of origin or of re-export. They may live up to 40 years in captivity.

The common name kinkajou derives from French quincajou, based on the Algonquian name for the wolverine. It is similar to the Ojibwe word gwiingwaʼaage, perhaps from a Proto-Algonquian *kwi·nkwaʔa·ke. Its other names in English... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

White-nosed Coati
LC

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible
Jaguar
NT

Jaguar

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera onca

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Gray Fox
LC

Gray Fox

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Ocelot
LC

Ocelot

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Leopardus pardalis

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Mountain Lion
LC

Mountain Lion

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Puma concolor

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Chagres National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
~30%
2 Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary 🇧🇿 Belize
~30%
3 Soberanía National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
~20%
4 Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
~20%
5 Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
~20%
6 Piedras Blancas National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
~10%
7 Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve 🇪🇨 Ecuador
~10%
8 Braulio Carrillo National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
~10%
9 Cerro Azul Meámbar National Park 🇭🇳 Honduras
~10%
10 Yasuní National Park 🇪🇨 Ecuador
~10%
11 Farallones de Cali National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
~10%
12 Darién National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
~10%
13 Calakmul Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
~10%
14 Tambopata National Reserve 🇵🇪 Peru
~10%
15 Manuel Antonio National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
~10%
16 Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
~10%
17 Arenal Volcano National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
~10%
18 La Amistad International Park (Panama) 🇵🇦 Panama
~10%
19 Cusuco National Park 🇭🇳 Honduras
Insufficient data
20 Tenorio Volcano National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
21 Sierra de la Macarena National Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
Insufficient data
22 Podocarpus National Park 🇪🇨 Ecuador
Insufficient data
23 Madidi National Park 🇧🇴 Bolivia
Insufficient data
24 Carara National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
25 Bastimentos Island National Marine Park 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
26 Tikal National Park 🇬🇹 Guatemala
Insufficient data
27 Machalilla National Park 🇪🇨 Ecuador
Insufficient data
28 Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
29 Santa Rosa National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
30 Manu National Park 🇵🇪 Peru
Insufficient data
31 Chirripó National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
32 Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
33 Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
34 Cahuita National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
35 Corcovado National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
36 Tortuguero National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Kinkajou in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary?

About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Kinkajou sighting in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, based on 7 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Kinkajou in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary?

April has the highest sighting rate for Kinkajou in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in our monthly data.

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