Cacomistle

Cacomistle

Bassariscus sumichrasti

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
10–20% · With luck
overall probability at Los Quetzales National Park
10 Verified records at Los Quetzales National Park
September Best month highest sighting rate
🌙 Nocturnal When it's active during nighttime hours (6pm–6am)

The cacomistle (; Bassariscus sumichrasti), also spelled cacomixtle, is a primarily nocturnal, arboreal, omnivorous member of the carnivoran family Procyonidae (coatis, kinkajous and raccoons). Depending on the location, its preferred habitats are humid and tropical evergreen jungle and montane cloud forests; seasonally, it may venture into drier, deciduous forests. Although its total population is listed as being of "least concern" (i.e., stable), the cacomistle is still a highly cryptic, secretive animal, and generally an uncommon sight throughout much of its range (from southern México to western Panamá); this fact is especially true in Costa Rica, where it inhabits only a very small area. Additionally, the species is completely dependent on trees and dense vegetation for habitat, making it particularly susceptible to deforestation. The name cacomistle comes from the Nahuatl language (tlahcomiztli) and means "half-cat" or "half-puma"; the same name is also given, by some, to the North American Bassariscus astutus, more commonly known as the ringtail (or, semi-inaccurately, ringtail 'cat'). This "sister species" of the cacomistle inhabits a much more northerly and less tropical range, from arid Northern Mexico into the Southwestern United States. Wikipedia →

10–20% of wildlife watchers report a Cacomistle sighting in Los Quetzales National Park, based on 10 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

📅 Monthly Probability

<5
Jan
<5
Feb
5–10
Mar
10–20
Apr
10–20
May
10–20
Jun
20–30
Jul
10–20
Aug
20–30
Sep
<5
Oct
10–20
Nov
10–20
Dec

🌙 When They're Spotted

Most active during nighttime hours (6pm–6am) · across all parks (global)

🌙Nocturnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Volcán Barú National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
20–30%
2 Los Quetzales National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
10–20%
3 La Amistad International Park (Panama) 🇵🇦 Panama
5–10%
4 Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
<5%
5 La Tigra National Park 🇭🇳 Honduras
Insufficient data
6 Celaque National Park 🇭🇳 Honduras
Insufficient data
7 Braulio Carrillo National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
8 Calakmul Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
9 Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Cacomistle in Los Quetzales National Park?

About 11% of wildlife watchers report a Cacomistle sighting in Los Quetzales National Park, based on 10 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Cacomistle in Los Quetzales National Park?

September has the highest sighting rate for Cacomistle in Los Quetzales National Park in our monthly data.

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