kinkajou
/'kiɳkədʤu:/
Definition
- Noun:
- A small, nocturnal, arboreal mammal native to Central and South America: The kinkajou is a rainforest animal with a long, prehensile tail, large eyes, and soft, woolly fur. It is an omnivore but primarily eats fruit.
- A procyonid mammal: It belongs to the family Procyonidae, which also includes raccoons, coatis, and olingos. It is not a lemur, though it was once thought to be related.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The kinkajou uses its long tail to grip branches as it moves through the forest canopy.
- We were lucky to spot a kinkajou feeding on figs during our night hike.
- Despite its cute appearance, a kinkajou can be aggressive if threatened.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific context: In zoology, the kinkajou is referred to by its binomial name, .
- Potos flavus, commonly known as the kinkajou, is a key seed disperser in its ecosystem.
Variants and Related Words
- Poto (n): An alternative, less common name for the kinkajou.
- Honey bear (n): A common nickname for the kinkajou, referring to its fondness for nectar and honey.
Synonyms
- Honey bear: A common synonym based on its dietary habits.
- Potos: The genus name, used scientifically.
Notes on Different Meanings
- The term "kinkajou" refers specifically to the mammal . It is sometimes confused with the ring-tailed lemur due to historical classification errors, but they are from different biological orders (the kinkajou is a carnivoran, the lemur is a primate).
Noun
-
a kind of lemur
-
arboreal fruit-eating mammal of tropical America with a long prehensile tail
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