Tayra
Eira barbara
CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Carnivora
FAMILY: Mustelidae
SIZE:
3-4 feet
RANGE:
Southern Mexico to Argentina
HABITAT:
Forests
DIET:
Wild - Mammals, birds, and fruit
Zoo - Meat, fruit, eggs, rats, and mice
DESCRIPTION:
They look somewhat like a cross between a weasel and an otter, having a long body and tail. Their coat is coarse and is dark brown or black on the body, with a lighter brown head. They have a yellow or white spot on their chest.
FACTS:
Tayras are forest dwellers climbing trees well and can leap from tree to tree.
They rest in hollow logs or trees.
They swim well.
They were tamed and used for rodent control by the Indians.
They can live over 17 years.
YOUNG:
Tayras can have 2 young.
STATUS:
CITES App. III; due to habitat destruction and hunting they have become threatened.
REFERENCE:
Walker's Mammals of the World, Vol. II, Ronald M. Nowak
The Management of Wild Mammals in Captivity, Lee S. Crandall
|
