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Olingo Facts

Olingo Facts
Olingo is a small mammal that belongs to the raccoon family. There are 4 species of olingo that can be found in Central America and northern parts of South America. Olingo inhabits tropical rainforests and spends its entire life in the treetops. Olingo is rarely seen both in the wild and in the zoos, and people often mix them up with similar-looking creatures such as kinkajous and coatis. Greatest threat for the survival of olingos in the wild is habitat loss. Nearly 50% of their native habitats are already turned into agricultural lands and urban areas. Luckily, number of remaining olingos is still large and these animals are not on the list of endangered species.
Interesting Olingo Facts:
Olingo can reach 14 to 20 inches in length and 2 to 3.25 pounds of weight.
Olingo is covered with dense, soft fur that can be light brown or grey colored. Underside of the body is lighter in color.
Olingo has round head, pointed snout, rounded ears and slender body with long, bushy tail.
Olingo has large eyes with enlarged pupils that facilitate visualization of surroundings during the night. Olingo has 40 sharp teeth.
Olingo shares lot of morphological characteristics with kinkajou. These two animals belong to the same family, but they started divergent (separate) evolution 22.6 million years ago. Olingos and kinkajous can be differentiated via several features. Olingo has less stocky body, more narrowed muzzle and bushier tail that is not prehensile. Also, olingo doesn't have long tongue like kinkajou.
Similarities in appearance between kinkajou and olingo are result of parallel evolution. Life in similar environment led to creation of similar morphological and behavioral characteristics.
Olingos are arboreal animals (adapted to the life in the treetops). They are excellent jumpers and climbers.
Olingos are nocturnal creatures. They sleep in the cavities of trees during the day.
Olingos are omnivores (they eat plants and meat). Their diet is based mostly on fruit (they prefer figs) and nectar. Olingos rarely eat insects, birds and small mammals.
Natural predators of olingos are tayras, ocelots, jaguars and large snakes.
Olingos use scent produced in the anal gland to deter predators and keep them on a safe distance.
Olingos are solitary creatures but they occasionally travel and search for food in small groups.
Olingos can mate all year round. Males produce loud calls when they detect receptive females.
Pregnancy in females lasts 73 days and ends with one cub. Baby is deaf, blind and almost naked (covered with sparse grey-black fur) at birth. Young animals are ready to begin independent life at the age of 2 months. Olingos reach sexual maturity at the age of 21 to 24 months.
Olingo can survive 10 years in the wild and up to 17 years in the captivity.


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