| Northern olingo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| inCosta Rica | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Procyonidae |
| Genus: | Bassaricyon |
| Species: | B. gabbii |
| Binomial name | |
| Bassaricyon gabbii Allen, 1876 | |
 | |
| Northern olingo range[2] | |
| Synonyms | |
Bassaricyon richardsoniJ. A. Allen, 1908 | |
Thenorthern olingo (Bassaricyon gabbii), also known as thebushy-tailed olingo or, simply, theolingo (due to it being the most common of the species),[2] is anarboreal (tree-dwelling) member of theraccoonfamily,Procyonidae, which also includes thecoatimundis andkinkajou. Native toCentral America, it was the first species ofolingo to be scientificallydescribed; while it is considered by some authors to be the only "true" olingo species,[3] a review of thegenusBassaricyon had shown there to be a total of four species, two of those now being considered synonymous with the northern olingo.[2] Itsspecific name honorsWilliam More Gabb (1839-1878), who found and collected the first specimen for western science.[4][5]
The northern olingo is a slenderarboreal animal, with hind legs distinctly longer than the fore legs, and a long, bushy tail. The face is short and rounded, with relatively large eyes and short round ears.[6] Thefur is thick and colored brown or grey-brown over most of the body, becoming slightly darker along the middle of the back, while the underparts are light cream to yellowish.[6] A band of yellowish fur runs around the throat and sides of the head, where it reaches the base of the ears, while the face has greyish fur. The tail is similar in color to the body, but has a number of faint rings of darker fur along its length. The soles of the feet are hairy, and the toes are slightly flattened, ending with short, curved claws.[6] Females have a single pair of teats, located on the rear part of the abdomen, close to the hind legs.[4]
Adults have a head-body length of 36 to 42 centimetres (14 to 17 in), with a 38 to 48 centimetres (15 to 19 in) tail.[6] They weigh around 1.2 to 1.4 kilograms (2.6 to 3.1 lb).[6] The northern olingo possesses a pair of analscent glands,[6] capable of producing a foul-smelling chemical when the animal is alarmed.[4]
This is the largest of the olingo species.[2] Its pelage is typically less rufous than the other olingos, while its tail bands are a bit more distinct.[2]
The northern olingo is found fromNicaragua south throughColombia (where it has been sighted as far south asEl Carmen de Atrato,Chocó Department),[7] as well asCosta Rica andPanama.[2] They have been occasionally reported fromHonduras andGuatemala, although its great similarity to the more commonkinkajou may make such reports dubious. The olingo is not currently recognised by theIUCN.[1] While some individuals have been found as low as sea level,[2] it typically inhabitsmontane[2] andtropical moist forests[4] from 1,000 metres (3,300 ft)[2] up to around 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) elevation, although, apparently, it avoids human-disturbed areas, plantations and areas ofsecondary forest.[4]
Previously, three subspecies (including thenominate) were recognized of this olingo:B. g. gabbii,B. g. richardsoni, andB. g. medius.[3] The recent review of the genus has made several changes to the definition of this species:
The closest relatives ofB. gabbii are the two lowland olingo species of Panama and northwestern South America,B. alleni andB. medius, from which it diverged about 1.8 million years ago.[2]
The northern olingo is anocturnalherbivore, feeding almost entirely on fruit, especiallyfigs. It has been observed to drink the nectar ofbalsa trees during the dry season, and, on rare occasions, to pursue and eat small mammals, such as mice and squirrels. During the day, it sleeps in dens located in large trees.[4] It has an estimated home range of around 23 hectares (57 acres).[8]
Although it has been considered to be a solitary animal, it is often encountered in pairs, and may be more sociable than commonly believed. It is arboreal, spending much of its time in trees. Its tail is notprehensile, unlike that of the related kinkajous, although it can act as a balance.[4] The call of the northern olingo has been described as possessing two distinct notes, with a "whey-chuck" or "wey-toll" sound.[8]
The northern olingo has a diet and habitat similar to those of kinkajous, and, when resources are in short supply, the larger animal may drive it away from its preferred trees.[8] Predators known to feed on the northern olingo include thejaguarundi,ocelot,tayra, and severalboas. It is believed to breed during the dry season, and to give birth to a single young after agestation period of around ten weeks. It has lived for up to twenty-five years in captivity.[4]
